Nairne won their first game of the 2020/21 Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season following a four-wicket victory over Bremer/Callington at Callington on Saturday. The home side batted first and were under immediate pressure as they slipped to 2/12 with Mitch Hein (1/16) and Jarrad Tait (1/16) picking up early wickets for the Razorbacks. Ajay Pundir and Amit Maina tried to resurrect the innings as they added 20 runs for the third wicket before Maina departed with the score at 3/32. Pundir was looking good until he skied a catch to mid-off off the first ball from the returning Matt Hein (1/5) and was dismissed for a top-scoring 20. The Cobras lost their last 7/35 to be bowled out for just 76 in the 33rd over. Shane Kenney (3/4), Brodie Clarke (2/6) and Nick Melvin (2/24) were the multiple wicket takers for Nairne. The visitors run chase started well as Tait (21) and Robert Crook (20) put on 39 for the first wicket and things looked very rosy for the Razorbacks. The game was turned on its head as the Cobras struck back to take 5/14 and leave Nairne scrambling at 5/53. Nick Williams was the man doing the damage as he snared the excellent figures of 4/22 (7). However, Kenney (13) and Mitch Hein (8 not out) steadied the ship to see Nairne home to victory in the 26th over to notch their first points for the season.

Lobethal continued their undefeated start to the season with another crushing victory, this time by 10 wickets over Mount Barker. The Tigers bowling has been the key to their three victories with no team scoring more than a total of 78 in their three outings against their attack. Mount Barker batted first and struggled their way to 9/64 from their 35 overs. Only three batsmen reached double figures for the Kookaburras with Alex Dunbar top scoring with 19 not out (46 balls). Six Tigers bowlers took wickets including Dave Huxter (2/2), Cam Winen (2/9) and Ryan McEachern (2/10). Lobethal wasted no time in knocking off the 65 runs required for victory with Mitchell Weeks (29 not out) and skipper Ben Matthews (21 not out) taking just 11.3 overs to take the win.

Langhorne Creek are also still undefeated after grinding out a 21-run win at home against Woodside. The home side batted first with Brodie O’Dea (22) and Dan Kropp (28) adding 37 runs for the opening stand. Ben Warren entered the fray once O’Dea was dismissed and he really upped the run rate with a hard-hitting 51 from just 41 balls (3 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Skipper Daniel Cleggett hit a quickfire 18 (15 balls) as Langhorne Creek posted a competitive total of 7/165 from their 35 overs. Steve Ball (2/35) was the only multiple wicket taker for Woodside and has now taken nine wickets in three games in 2020/21. Tommy Baldock (12) and Dave Wescombe got the Warriors off to a fast start with a 53-run opening partnership before Wescombe was dismissed for 39 from 33 balls (6 x 4’s). Baldock went soon after, followed by Will Dunstall (11) and Sam Pullen (2) as Woodside were soon under the pump at 4/82. Matthew Cannizzaro took the first three wickets on his way to excellent figures of 3/19 (7). Brad Collins (37 not out) and Sam Luck (26) kept Woodside’s hopes alive but ultimately they fell 21 runs short on 8/144 from their 35 overs. Cleggett (3/26) and Darcy Paech (2/30) joined Cannizzaro as multiple wicket takers for the Tigers on their way to a perfect three from three record.

Strathalbyn won their second game of the season and in the process moved to third spot on the AEHCA ladder after a 47-run victory at home over Wistow. The Stallions batted first and compiled 7/168 from their 35 overs with the innings dominated by opener Luke Cousins. Cousins scored 85 from 85 balls (12 x 4’s), his second half century of the season but when he was out with the score at 5/115, Wistow had the chance to restrict the total to less than 150. Steve Schofield (27 not out) and Brayden Gaiter (26 not out) had other ideas as they got together for an excellent unbroken sixth wicket partnership worth 53 runs to get the Stallions up to their competitive total of 5/168. Ryan Watt was the only multiple wicket taker for the Echidnas with 2/34 (7). Skipper Dan Jenner (17) and Matt Chapman got Wistow off to a reasonable start with a 26-run opening stand before three quick wickets had them in all sorts of trouble at 3/28. Chapman was joined by Lachlan Elsworthy and this pair got their side back into the game somewhat with a 51-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Chapman was dismissed for 24. Elsworthy went on to top score with 44 but Wistow were restricted to 9/121 from their 35 overs to come up 47 runs short. Ben Cousins (3/26), Gaiter (2/12) and Danny Horan (2/35) the multiple wicket takers for Strathalbyn.            

Hahndorf had the bye.

Ladder (after round 3)

Lobethal 12, Langhorne Creek 12, Strathalbyn 8, Woodside 4, Hahndorf 4, Nairne 4, Bremer/Callington 4, Mount Barker 0, Wistow 0.

Round 4 fixtures (home teams named first)

Nairne v Strathalbyn

Hahndorf v Langhorne Creek

Mount Barker v Bremer/Callington

Woodside v Lobethal

Wistow has the bye