Lobethal pulled off a stunning win at Strathalbyn on Saturday to secure the all-important double chance during round 17 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). Amazingly 20 wickets fell for just 174 runs as Lobethal pulled off a thrilling four-run triumph. Lobethal batted first and collapsed to be 7/51 with Mitch Weeks (17) and Sam Graeber (10) the only top-six batsmen to reach double figures. Steve Huxter (30) and Will Zadow (11) combined for what turned out to be a very important 38-run eighth wicket stand before the Tigers lost their last 3/0 to be bowled out for just 89 in the 37th over. Five Stallions bowlers claimed wickets with Matt Abbott (3/7), Zach Reekie (2/9), Tim Dellatorre (2/11) and Danny Horan (2/20) leading the way. Strathalbyn needed 90 runs to win and shore up a finals berth and they reached 2/39 before the dismissal of Abbott (16) precipitated a collapse of 6/25 to leave the home side in tatters at 8/64. Matthew Harris battled hard to make 30 from 76 balls as the home side got within five runs of victory before Harris was dismissed to give Lobethal an unlikely win. All five Tigers bowlers took wickets with Dave Huxter (3/14), Weeks (3/21) and Cam Winen (2/20) the standouts. Strathalbyn now faces a nervous wait as they have the bye in the final round and will be sweating on other results going their way to take their place in the finals.



After seemingly being out of the finals race after losing to Wistow last week, Nairne roared back into contention with an important 40-run win over fellow finals aspirant Hahndorf at Nairne Oval. The home side batted first and posted a competitive total of 173 with Jarrad Tait (39), Robert Crook (35) and Luke Timmins (26) leading the way. Hahndorf skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker snared 3/29 (9) and he was well supported by Ashley Eckermann (2/33) and Shaun Tait (2/38). Hahndorf got off to a good start in the run chase through veterans Andrew Baker (30) and Greg Hassold (21). The big wicket was Shaun Tait and he made his way to 36 before being dismissed by his brother Jarrad Tait (2/17). From then on it was all Nairne with the Hein brothers doing the damage with Matt taking 4/34 and Mitch 4/45 as the Magpies were bowled out in the 35th over for 133. The equation is simple for both Nairne (playing Lobethal) and Hahndorf (playing Woodside) in the final round...win and you’re in!

Woodside won their seventh game of the 2020/21 season following a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Mount Barker at Woodside Oval. The visitors batted first and struggled as they were bowled out for just 89 in the 30th over. Skipper Rhys Paterson (27), Simon Turk (17) and Jason Webb (10) were the only Kookaburra batsmen to reach double figures. All seven Woodside bowlers took wickets with Chris Baschiera (3/25) leading the way. Baschiera has had an excellent season with 26 wickets at an average of 13.31. The Warriors wasted no time in knocking off the runs in just the 12th over with Dave Wescombe (40 not out) and Brad Collins (29 not out) making light work of the target. Tommy Baldock (13) was the batsman dismissed with Turk (1/18) the wicket taker. 

Wistow won their second game in a row with a six-wicket victory against Bremer/Callington at Callington on Saturday. The Cobras batted first and were disappointing as they were bowled out for just 60 in the 35th over. Skipper Jai McMurtrie (12) and Sandeep Huda (12) were the only players to reach double figures. The Wistow bowlers shared the wickets around with Dan Jenner leading the way with figures of 2/4 from a miserly nine-over spell. Sam Smith (2/4), Josh Fidler (2/12) and Harry Burgess (2/27) were the other multiple wicket takers. The Echidnas run chase didn’t start well as they slipped to 2/3 before Matt Chapman (17), Fiddler (15 not out) and Smith (15 not out) saw the visitors home in the 27th over. 

Langhorne Creek had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 17)

Langhorne Creek 46, Lobethal 44, Strathalbyn 40, Hahndorf 38, Nairne 36, Woodside 32, Wistow 16, Bremer/Callington 12, Mount Barker 8.

Round 18 fixtures (6/3/21) (home team named first)

Woodside v Hahndorf

Langhorne Creek v Bremer/Callington

Nairne v Lobethal

Wistow v Mount Barker

Strathalbyn has the bye