Stingrays Sweep Port to End 2010 on a High

Southern District recorded an unusual sweep in round 7 winning all seven senior mens games against Port Adelaide, followed by a Heroes and Villans Christmas party back at the club. The round featured an A grade one-day match (dual points in two and one-day comps) as well as back to back T20 games for B,C & D grades.

In the A grade the Stringrays bounced back from a loss against Sturt to outpoint Port at Bice oval. Southern Captain Simon Roberts returned to form with a well compiled 46* after Joel Garrett also contributed a patient 37 at the top of the innings as Southern closed at 6/169. Port were strangled early by miserly bowling from Sean McIvor (2/6 off 10) with skipper Roberts chipping in with 3 for 14. Shaun Tanner and Paul Roberts completed the slow bowling onslaught with 2/19 and 2/14 respectively. Port were all out for 121 leaving Southern sitting 2nd at the break. With 6 games still in hand (including a rescheduled match against ET) the Rays will need at least 3 wins to feature in finals for the first time in several years.

The B grade snuck over the line in game two thanks to super over heroics from Jack Taylor and Robbie McCard. Finishing on 112 a piece, the match went to a super over which saw southern 0/8 def Port 1/5. Brenton Maiolo scoring 39 and Jack Taylor taking 2/14. Game one saw Taylor unleash with 72 well supported by Matt Sugg with 26 to finish 5/135 from their 20 overs. Port responded to be all out 101 thanks to Blake Trigg (2/15) and Jibber McCormack (2/37).

Southern Smacked Port in both C grade encounters, easily chasing down Ports 75 in game 1, and resticting Port to just 45 in game 2 chasing 113. The Standout was Brendan McCormack's unbeaten 51 and 2/2 with the ball and a team effort to round off the result.

D grade surprised with strong wins, with "The Chad" Franceschini scoring a brutal 135no in game two as Southern pounded 1/209. Tom Cotter-Gillies took 4 wickets to complete the route. Game one was a more even encounter as Tom Philips continued his good early season form with 43no and Huw Stone and Jack Gwatking scored two wickets a piece.

Southern go into the break on top of the club championship, just ahead of Sturt and no doubt a fast finishing Woodville who have a friendly draw to finish the season.