Reigning premier Hahndorf sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition with an emphatic 133-run win over top side Langhorne Creek during round 13 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The Magpies have now won three games in a row to sit in fourth spot on the ladder. The Magpies batted first and struggled their way to 6/68 at the drinks break before Nick Mosey (20) and Benny Montgomerie (27) came together for a very important seventh wicket partnership worth 40 runs. Handy contributions from Bradey Judd (23 not out) and Caleb Blesing (16) helped Hahndorf reach a competitive total of 170. 33 extras also aided the Magpies in reaching their total. Troy Blackwell (4/25) continued his excellent season while teenager Darcy Paech (4/36) continues to show great promise with the ball. What happened next was barely believable as Langhorne Creek were skittled for just 37 inside 27 overs! Jaspa Tonkin with 18 (40 balls), was the only Tigers batsman to reach double figures. All four Hahndorf bowlers took wickets with Shaun Tait the star taking 5/9 from nine overs while Matt Jaensch captured his first wickets of the season with figures of 3/8 (4.3).

In a game dominated by the bowlers, Bremer/Callington won their second game of the season with a nervous three-wicket victory against Mount Barker on the turf at Callington. The Kookaburras batted first and got off to a reasonable start with Chris Paterson (10) and Jackson Lane (9) putting on 24 runs for the first wicket. However from that moment on it was all Bremer/Callington with Mount Barker losing their last 10 wickets for 50 runs to be bowled out for just 74 in the 37th over. Rhys Paterson battled hard for the visitors to top score with 30 from 45 balls (3 x 6’s). Sandeep Huda was the chief destroyer for the Cobras as he snared 4/6 from eight overs and he was well supported by Nathan Fitzgerald (3/12) and Nick Williams (2/24). Bremer/Callington’s run chase started in disastrous fashion as they slumped to 6/23 and all their good work with the ball looked like it was going to be brought undone. Hayden Lane (4/27) and Rhys Paterson (2/12) bowled inspired spells for the Kookaburras to give their side a chance at an unlikely victory. The Cobras were in desperate need of a steadying partnership and they got one through Chris Schilling and Nathan Fitzgerald as this pair added 37 runs for the seventh wicket before Fitzgerald was dismissed for 14. Schilling continued on to make a valuable 25 not out (51 balls) with Arsalan Eubaid (12 not out) helping the home side over the line in the 32nd over. 

Strathalbyn has consolidated their spot in the top four and at the same time have put a dent in Nairne’s finals hopes with a tough 25-run win at Strathalbyn Oval on Saturday. Nairne won the toss and sent the home side into bat and the move paid early dividends with Stallions acting captain Matt Abbott (2) dismissed by Brodie Clarke (3/28). Luke Cousins and Zach Reekie then added 35 runs for the second wicket before the in-form Cousins was dismissed for 30 from 34 balls (5 x 4’s). Steady wickets continued to fall throughout the innings with Jarrad Tait, in his first stint at the bowling crease since getting injured back in October, snaring 4/10 from an excellent nine-over spell. Brayden Gaiter (33) and Ben Cousins (22 not out) battled hard to lift the Stallions to a total of 132 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Considering the average first innings score (‘A’ grade) at Strathalbyn this season was 193 going into Saturday’s game, Nairne would’ve been confident they could chase down their target of 133. Nairne started poorly in their run chase as they slipped to 3/11. Sam Rowe (35) and Mitch Hein (20) battled hard for the Razorbacks but with no other support, Nairne were bowled out for 107 in the 40th over. All six Stallions bowlers took wickets in a fine all-round bowling display with Tim Dellatorre (3/27), Danny Horan (2/12) and Gaiter (2/25) the multiple wicket takers.

Lobethal continued their good recent form to record a fourth straight victory following a tight six-run win over Woodside at Lobethal Oval. The home side batted first and it was hard work for the batsmen as the Tigers battled their way to 8/135 from their 45 overs. Mitch Weeks (33), Matt Martin (28) and skipper Ben Matthews (17) were the leading run scorers for Lobethal. Chris Baschiera continued his excellent season as he snared 3/27 (9). Baschiera now has 22 wickets at an average of 12.09 in 2020/21 to sit equal second on the AEHCA wicket takers list behind Langhorne Creek’s Troy Blackwell (23 wickets). Dave Wescombe (2/10) and Charlie McDonough (2/30) also chipped in with a couple of wickets each for the Warriors. Lobethal started their run chase well with the ever-reliable Wescombe (25) and Tommy Baldock (20) putting on 45 for the first wicket. After the opening partnership, Lobethal kept things tight and took regular wickets as Woodside struggled to 6/102. Woodside skipper Brad Collins tried his best to lift his side over the line with 47 not out but eventually they fell short at 6/129 from their 45 overs. Cameron Winen took 3/30 (9) to take his season tally to 22 wickets and he was ably supported by off-spinner Mitch Weeks who bowled a miserly spell of 2/16 (9). It was a real struggle on the slow Lobethal outfield with only 11 boundaries hit between the sides in 90 overs as the Tigers banked another important win to maintain second spot on the AEHCA ladder with five rounds left in the minor round. 

Wistow had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 13)

Langhorne Creek 38, Lobethal 32, Strathalbyn 32, Hahndorf 30, Woodside 24, Nairne 24, Bremer/Callington 12, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 14 fixtures (6/2/21) (home team named first)

Woodside v Strathalbyn

Lobethal v Hahndorf

Wistow v Langhorne Creek

Mount Barker v Nairne

Bremer/Callington has the bye