Wistow has severely dented Nairne’s finals hopes after pulling off a dramatic one-run victory during round 16 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Wistow on Saturday. The Echidnas batted first and were soon under pressure at 2/17 before Lachlan Elsworthy and Matt Chapman added 29 runs for the third wicket until Chapman was dismissed for 15. David Kinlough then joined Elsworthy with this pair getting the score to 3/80 when Elsworthy fell for 35 (81 balls). Kinlough continued on to make 41 (58 balls), his highest score of the season, but unfortunately he didn’t get much support as the home side were rolled for 126 in the 40th over. All seven Razorbacks bowlers took wickets with Jacob Sadler (3/7) and Matt Hein (2/29) the multiple wicket takers. Jarrad Tait (27) and Luke Timmins (16) had Nairne in a good position before a middle order collapse saw them under plenty of pressure. Matt Hein (22) and Brodie Clarke (18) tried hard to lift the Razorbacks over the line before Lachlan Elsworthy (1/34) dismissed Clarke as Nairne were bowled out for 125 in the 45th over. Veteran Steven Nettle was the pick of the Wistow bowlers with 3/11 from nine overs (six maidens). Harry Burgess (3/25) and Daniel Jenner (2/21) were the other multiple wicket takers as the Echidnas won their second game for the 2020/21 season. 

Lobethal took the honours in the top-of-the-table clash against Langhorne Creek at Lobethal Oval to keep their minor premiership chances alive. Lobethal sent Langhorne Creek in and it was a real struggle for the visitors as they were bowled out in the 42nd over for 131. Brodie O’Dea (45 from 66 balls) and Daniel Cleggett (32 from 58 balls) were the main contributors for the 2018/19 premier. Will Zadow (3/17) and Mitch Weeks (3/34) spun a web for Lobethal while opening bowler Matt Martin took 2/22. The home side started their run chase well with skipper Ben Matthews and Weeks adding 41 for the first wicket before Weeks was dismissed for 19 (30 balls). Matthews was his usual steady self as he batted through the innings to score 60 not out (123 balls) with the target being reached in the 42nd over for the loss of just three wickets. Matthews has now scored 447 runs at an average of 55.88 this season. Darcy Paech (1/14), Matthew Cannizzaro (1/22) and Tom Whittlesea (1/31) were the wicket takers for the Creeks. 

Hahndorf moved six points clear in fourth spot on the AEHCA ladder and still could grab the all-important double chance following a low scoring 57-run win on the turf at Callington against the Cobras. The Magpies batted first with their innings dominated by veteran Andrew Baker who easily made the top score of the match with 53. Baker has only played three ‘A’ grade games this season and has scored 112 runs at 37.33. Benny Montgomerie (22) and Graydon Brand (15) were the only other Magpies to reach double figures with Hahndorf bowled out for 121 in the 39th over. Brad Louch continued his good first season with the Cobras as he snared 4/23 (9), his best figures for his new club. Spinner Nick Williams chipped in with 3/21 (9). The home side's reply was a disaster as they were dismissed for just 64 in the 31st over. Nathan Fitzgerald (19) was the only player to reach double figures for the Cobras. Hahndorf’s opening bowlers did all the damage with Shaun Tait (4/19) and Ryan Trafford-Walker (4/25) sharing the wicket taking spoils.

A century to Mount Barker’s Rhys Paterson wasn’t enough to stop Strathalbyn from winning their ninth game of 2020/21 to keep their double chance hopes alive. Paterson dominated the Kookaburras innings on his home deck as he scored his maiden ‘A’ grade century. After coming in at 1/1, Paterson made 109 from 112 balls with eight boundaries and seven sixes to show off his undoubted talent. Chris Pulford (12) was the only other Kookaburra to reach double figures as the total reached 9/172 off 45 overs. Acting captain Matt Abbott (3/20), Brayden Gaiter (3/23) and Danny Horan (2/26) were the chief wicket takers for the Stallions. Strathalbyn started the run chase well with Abbott and Luke Cousins putting on a 41-run opening stand before Abbott departed for 24 (21 balls). Steve Schofield (4) went cheaply as the visitors were 2/63 and Mount Barker were in the game. Any chance the home side had at an upset victory was snuffed out as Cousins and Zach Reekie put on an unbroken 111-run third wicket stand as the target was reached in the 36th over. Reekie finished with 56 not out, his first half century for the Stallions, while Cousins finished with 79 not out (103 balls). Cousins sits atop the AEHCA run scorers list this season with 525 runs at an average of 43.75. Deklan Porter (2/37) was the wicket taker for Mount Barker. 

Woodside had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 16)

Langhorne Creek 46, Lobethal 40, Strathalbyn 40, Hahndorf 38, Nairne 32, Woodside 28, Bremer/Callington 12, Wistow 12 Mount Barker 8.

Round 17 fixtures (27/2/21) (home team named first)

Strathalbyn v Lobethal

Nairne v Hahndorf

Woodside v Mount Barker

Bremer/Callington v Wistow

Langhorne Creek has the bye