Wistow moved back inside the top-four on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder after a thrilling 10-run win against Bremer Callington at Callington on Saturday. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, but were soon in trouble as they slumped to 3/9 in the sixth over. Timmy Chynoweth (17) and opening batsman Jordan Grooby (28) added 60 runs for the fourth wicket, while Cooper Kupke top scored with an important 42 not out (56 balls) as the Echidnas were bowled out in the 43rd over for 139. Nathan Fitzgerald led the Cobras attack with figures of 3/17 off six overs. Bremer Callington got off to an excellent start with opening pair Jai McMurtrie (36) and Michael Kudra (38) putting on 68 for the first wicket. Wistow struck back hard, taking 10/61 to bowl the Cobras out for 129. Connor Burgess (3/26), Harrison Burgess (3/54) and Josh Fidler (2/15) were the leading wicket takers for Wistow, while Kupke (1/31) completed a great day with the final wicket to end the game.

Nairne won their fifth game in a row after defeating Strathalbyn by 42 runs at Nairne. The Razorbacks got off to a fast start with Tom Fiebiger (21) and Nick Melvin adding 79 runs for the first wicket before Melvin was dismissed for 54 from 37 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Strathalbyn got themselves back in the game with some tight bowling as Nairne were reduced to 8/146 with nine overs remaining in their innings. Levi Llewellyn (18) joined Luke Stephenson in a crucial ninth-wicket stand worth 61 runs as the Razorbacks finished with a competitive 9/207 from their 45 overs. Stephenson finished with 37 not out (33). Strathalbyn skipper Matt Harris took 2/27, while Lachlan Cutting snared 2/41. Sam Teakle (23) and Luke Cousins (20) made handy contributions, but it was Brayden Gaiter who top scored with 66 from 89 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6) for 'Strath'. However, Gaiter received little support as the Stallions were bowled out for 165. Melvin completed a fine all-round day with 4/26 (6.3), while Stephenson also capped off a good day with 3/50 (9). 

Reigning premiers Lobethal maintained a two-game gap at the top of the table after a convincing seven-wicket victory at Woodside. The Warriors won the toss and batted first with veteran Dave Wescombe opening up in a hurry with 43 from 31 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). However from a position of strength at 0/40, the Warriors collapsed to be bowled out for just 75. Josh Martin (4/14), Mitch Weeks (4/24) and Dave Huxter (2/1) were the wicket takers for the Tigers. Lobethal wasted no time in the run chase as they knocked off the target inside 10 overs with Tanner King smacking 44 not out from 25 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Jeremy Druwitt took 2/24 (2) for the Warriors. 

Langhorne Creek won their sixth game on the trot with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Hahndorf. The Magpies started well with the bat as they reached 1/74 with Shaun Tait (37), Paul Allegretto (23) and Ty Watson (18) chipping in. From then on it was all Langhorne Creek as they took the last 9/39 to bowl Hahndorf out for 113 in the 38th over. SA Country representative Troy Blackwell took 3/25 (6.1), while Toby Phillips (2/10) was the other multiple wicket taker for the southern Tigers. The Magpies also didn’t help themselves with three run outs in their innings. Brodie O’Dea (57) and Adam Clements (26 not out) led Langhorne Creek to victory in the 30th over. Former Australia fast bowler Tait took 2/22 from his nine overs for Hahndorf. 

Ladder (after round 12)

Lobethal 40, Nairne 32, Langhorne Creek 32, Wistow 22, Hahndorf 20, Bremer Callington 16, Strathalbyn 16, Woodside 14.

Round 13 (31/1/26 - home team named first)

Bremer Callington v Lobethal

Langhorne Creek v Nairne

Hahndorf v Woodside

Wistow v Strathalbyn