Hahndorf pulled off one of the wins of the season with a dramatic four-wicket victory at Strathalbyn during round 10 action of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) on Saturday. Hahndorf needed 13 runs to win off the last over and Michael Shanahan (16 not out) duly delivered the victory to the Magpies with two balls to spare. Earlier, Strathalbyn had posted a very good total of 6/236 from their 45 overs. The total was set up by Steve Schofield (78 from 92 balls), Luke Cousins (59 from 70 balls) and Matthew Harris (44 not out from 52 balls). It was a tough stint at the bowling crease for the visitors with Caleb Blesing the pick of the bowlers with 3/36 (8). The Magpies made a positive start in their run chase and got through to drinks with the score on 0/87 with Greg Hassold (53) and Lachlan Huxtable (41) doing an excellent job. Handy contributions were made by Nick Mosey (38), Graydon Brand (27) and Andrew Baker (27), but 94 runs were still required from the final 10 overs before Shanahan and Benny Montgomerie (11 not out) got the Magpies over the line and into second spot on the AEHCA ladder. Zach Reekie (3/50) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Stallions.

Fired by an undefeated 218-run partnership between skipper Ben Matthews and Daniel Norsworthy, Lobethal won a high scoring match against Wistow. Wistow batted first on their home deck and amassed a competitive total of 6/220 from their 45 overs. The Echidnas were in early trouble as they slumped to 3/23 before Mustafa Khan (19) joined skipper Matt Chapman in an important 51-run fourth wicket stand. Chapman was then joined by veteran Travis Lynn as Wistow started to take control of the innings. They added 106 runs for the fifth wicket before Chapman was dismissed for 82 (13 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Chapman has been in excellent recent form with 226 runs in his past three innings. Lynn went on to score 78 with seven boundaries and six ‘maximums’. Opening bowler Matt Martin took the honours for the Tigers with 2/20 from his nine overs. Lynn (1/39) continued his great day as he removed the dangerous Mitch Weeks (0) and Lobey was in early strife at 1/4. From that moment on it was the ‘Matthews/Norsworthy show’ with Matthews finishing on 103 not out from 112 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) and Norsworthy 93 not out from 110 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). It was Matthews’ fifth ‘A’ grade century for Lobethal. He has also made a century in the Twenty20 competition (148 v Finniss in 2014/15). 

Langhorne Creek’s undefeated streak to start the 2020/21 season continued following a five-wicket victory over Nairne at Langhorne Creek. The Razorbacks batted first and after getting into a reasonable position at 2/52, suffered a dramatic collapse to lose 8/53 and be bowled out in the 30th over for just 105. Skipper Luke Timmins (33) and ‘A’ grade debutant Trai Willis (19) were the only Nairne batsmen to reach double figures. Five Langhorne Creek bowlers claimed wickets with second-gamer Tom Whittlesea (3/35), Daniel Cleggett (2/8), Troy Blackwell (2/18) and Ben Warren (2/19) leading the way. The Tigers pursuit of victory started badly as they slipped to 3/19 with teenager Brodie Clarke (2/10) and Mitch Hein (1/23) doing the early damage. A steadying partnership was required as Warren joined Daniel Kropp at the crease and that’s just what the Tigers got with the pair adding 53 runs for the fourth wicket before Kropp was dismissed for a patient 24 from 63 balls. Whittlesea (1) came and went cheaply to leave Langhorne Creek at 5/81 and Nairne still had a slight scent of an unlikely victory. This however was snuffed out as Warren went on the attack to knock the winning runs off in the 30th over as he finished with 58 not out from 51 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6). ‘Dugga’ has already scored 344 runs at an average of 86.00 this season to lead the AEHCA runs aggregate and average. 

Woodside consolidated their spot in the top four on the AEHCA ladder following a two-wicket victory over Bremer/Callington at Callington Oval (Turf). Bremer/Callington batted first and got off to a great start through Amit Maina (37) and Ajay Pundir (30). Sadly for the Cobras, the innings faltered once these two players were dismissed with only Sandeep Huda (14) and Nick Williams (10) reaching double figures as they were bowled out for 126. Chris Baschiera (3/18), Charlie McDonough (3/19) and Shane Collins (2/23) were the best of the bowlers for the Warriors. Woodside also got off to an excellent start with the in-form pair of Tommy Baldock (45) and Dave Wescombe (34) adding 85 for the first wicket. The game was then turned on its head as Huda (4/22) and Brad Louch (3/31) reduced the visitors to a precarious 7/111 before Steve Ball (11 not out) steadied the ship for Woodside as they knocked off the required target in the 35th over. 

Mount Barker had the bye. 

In a rematch of last season’s decider, the 'A' Grade Twenty20 Grand Final will be played at Langhorne Creek on Saturday 2 January (4:00pm start) between Langhorne Creek and Nairne. The Tigers are gunning for their sixth title in seven years while the Razorbacks are searching for their first Twenty20 title. The ‘A’ Grade competition will resume following the Christmas/New Year break on the 9th of January.

Ladder (after round 10)

Langhorne Creek 34, Hahndorf 22, Woodside 20, Lobethal 20, Strathalbyn 20, Nairne 20, Bremer/Callington 8, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 11 fixtures (9/1/21) (home team named first)

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek

Mount Barker v Hahndorf

Woodside v Wistow

Lobethal v Bremer/Callington

Nairne has the bye