Lobethal moved up to second spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder with a convincing 159-run victory at Mount Barker on Saturday. The Tigers batted first and got solid contributions from their top order with Matt Martin (48), Ben Matthews (46), Mitch Weeks (45) and Daniel Norsworthy (41) setting Lobethal up for an intimidating total of 6/266 from their 45 overs. Four Kookaburras bowlers took wickets including Rhys Paterson (2/33) and Hayden Lane (2/50). Mount Barker’s run chase started well with Chris Paterson (34) and Jackson Lane (8) adding 47 for the first wicket. From then on it was all Lobethal as the home side lost their last 10/60 to be bowled out for 107 in the 34th over. Cam Winen was the star with the ball for Lobethal as he took his first ‘five-for’ with figures of 6/23 from his nine over spell. Winen has taken an impressive 19 wickets at an average of 11.16 so far this season. Sam Graeber (2/7) was the other multiple wicket taker for Lobethal.

It was an incredible day at Nairne on Saturday with 14 wickets falling for just 58 runs as the Razorbacks defeated Bremer/Callington by six wickets. The Cobras batted first and were rolled for just 28 (20.1 overs). Seven Bremer/Callington batsmen failed to trouble the scorers with skipper Jai McMurtrie (11) the only batsman to reach double figures. All four Nairne bowlers took wickets with Mitch Hein the standout with 4/8 from nine overs. Matt Hein (2/0), Chad Harrop (2/9) and Brodie Clarke (1/11) were the other wicket takers for Nairne. The Razorbacks lost four wickets on their way to knocking off the target in just 6.5 overs to give them their fifth win of the season. Amit Maina (3/23) and Nathan Fitzgerald (1/7) were the wicket takers for the Cobras. 

Langhorne Creek made the journey north to Woodside to take on the Warriors in the match of the round and came away with a good six-wicket victory. Woodside batted first and got off to a reasonable start through Dave Wescombe (31) and Jeremy Snoad (27) as they reached drinks at 4/79 (23). After the break the Warriors started to get on top as Brad Collins and Sam Pullen put together a 70-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Pullen was dismissed for a hard hitting 45 from 38 balls (2 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Brad Collins continued on to make 35 from 62 balls (3 x 4’s) as Woodside finished on 7/198 from their 45 overs. All five Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Brodie O’Dea (2/48) the only multiple wicket taker. The Creeks got off to a good start in their run chase as David Mudge (35) and Daniel Kropp (22) added 49 for the first wicket from 10 overs. O’Dea went cheaply to bring Ben Warren to the crease at 2/53. Warren hit a quickfire 38 from just 33 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) but when he was dismissed at 4/121, the game was still in the balance. Skipper Matt Tonkin joined Daniel Cleggett and this pair batted beautifully to put on an unbroken stand of 79 for the fifth wicket to see the ladder-leader home with 13 balls to spare. Cleggett finished with 51 not out from 61 balls while Tonkin made 39 not out from 54 balls. Nick Johns jnr. snared 2/38 (9) for Woodside. 

Strathalbyn moved back inside the top four with a comfortable 69-run win at Wistow. The Stallions were in early trouble as they slipped to 3/37 with Zach Reekie (6), Mark Abbott (0) and Steve Schofield (1) all back on the sidelines. Matthew Harris joined opening batsman Luke Cousins and this pair set about resurrecting the innings for the visitors. They put on 137 runs for the fourth wicket before Harris was dismissed for 59 (9 x 4’s). Harris has been in good recent form with 180 runs (average 90.00) from his last three innings. Cousins went on to notch his first century since the 2016/17 season as he finished on 104 (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Matthew Roberts added a hard hitting 66 (1 x 4, 4 x 6’s) to lift the Stallions to an imposing total of 7/290 from their 45 overs. Harrison Burgess (2/36) and Lachlan Elsworthy (2/51) were the chief wicket takers for Wistow. The Echidnas started the big run chase poorly with their top four batsmen all dismissed with just 41 runs on the board before Travis Lynn was joined by Sam Smith at the crease. This pair added 75 runs for the fifth wicket before Smith, in his first game for the season, was dismissed for a hard hitting 55 which included four boundaries and five sixes. Lynn and Burgess (10) then put on 50 for the sixth wicket until Lynn was dismissed for 64 (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Oscar Chapman added 36 not out (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) to lift the Echidnas final total to 9/221 from their 45 overs. Strathalbyn used nine bowlers with Tim Dellatorre the standout with 4/43 (9). 

Hahndorf had the bye. The competition takes a break next weekend for the annual Harry Meyer Shield which will be hosted by the Hills Cricket Association.

Ladder (after round 12)

Langhorne Creek 38, Lobethal 28, Strathalbyn 28, Hahndorf 26, Woodside 24, Nairne 24, Bremer/Callington 8, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 13 fixtures (30/1/21) (home team named first)

Strathalbyn v Nairne

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf

Bremer/Callington v Mount Barker

Lobethal v Woodside

Wistow has the bye