Langhorne Creek has gone a long way towards booking their spot in the finals after a nail-biting four-run win over a brave Woodside outfit at Woodside Oval in round 16 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). Langhorne Creek batted first and piled on the runs through an excellent second-wicket partnership between Brodie O’Dea and Nathan Wundersitz worth 170 runs. O’Dea, from Northern Areas club Pekina/Carrieton, has proved a very handy recruit and he made every post a winner on Saturday as he scored his maiden ton for the Tigers. O’Dea made 121 not out from 116 balls (13 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s) and Wundersitz chimed in with 79 from 118 balls (9 x 4’s) as the reigning premier put an imposing 2/237 on the board from their 45 overs. The Warriors began their run chase well as Tommy Baldock (28) and Dave Wescombe (75) added 104 for the first wicket. Wescombe was in fine touch as he hit nine boundaries and three maximums. Sam Luck (53) and skipper Brad Collins (20) joined in the fun as they added 74 for the third wicket to put the home side in the box seat at 2/192. Enter O’Dea with the ball as he snared 4/33 (9) as Woodside lost 7/29 before ultimately finishing on 9/233 at the end of their 45 overs to hand the reigning premier a very important victory.

Hahndorf kept a grip on second spot on the AEHCA ladder and put paid to Nairne’s slim finals hopes with a solid 68-run victory at Hahndorf Oval. The Magpies batted first and got off to a good start thanks to a 50-run opening stand between Greg Hassold (44) and Andrew Baker (14). Skipper Kris Dawe (50) then made his second half century of the season but when he was dismissed, the home side were in a bit of strife at 5/130. Veteran Nick Mosey (41 not out) and Lachlan Huxtable (27 not out) then came together in what proved to be a very important partnership as they added 60 runs for the sixth wicket as the Magpies finished at 5/190 from their 45 overs. Chad Harrop (2/28) and Sam Rowe (2/38) were the multiple wicket takers for the Razorbacks. Robert Crook (34) and Rowe (24) got Nairne off to a good start but after that it was all Hahndorf, apart from Mitch Hein who made 23, with the Razorbacks bowled out in the 37th over for just 122. Huxtable continued his fine match taking the excellent figures of 3/8 (4) and he was well supported by teenager Bradey Judd, in just his fourth ‘A’ grade game, who snared 3/25 from his nine overs.

Lobethal continued their amazing run of form as they comprehensively defeated Mount Barker by seven wickets at Lobethal Oval. The Tigers haven’t lost since way back in round four against Strathalbyn last November! The Kookaburras batted first and were in early trouble at 3/7 and they never recovered as they were bowled out for just 66. Only Simon Turk (14) and Deklan Porter (14) made it to double figures for a disappointing Mount Barker outfit. All four Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Dave Huxter (3/16) and Cam Winen (3/22) leading the way. Despite losing three wickets, Lobethal knocked off the small target in the 14th over with skipper Ben Matthews (37 not out) leading the way. Caleb Walker was the pick of the ‘Burras bowlers with figures of 2/26.

Bremer-Callington won their third game of the campaign with a five-wicket victory over Wistow on the turf at Callington. The Cobras bowled very well to restrict Wistow to 6/116 from their 45 overs. Arsalan Eubaid (2/12) and Brandon Fitzgerald (2/18) were the multiple wicket takers for Bremer-Callington while Daniel Lowe was extremely economical taking 1/6 from his five overs. Eubaid (40) and skipper Johnny Fitzgerald (24) led the way (aided by 28 extras) in the run chase as the winning runs were knocked off in the 32nd over.

Round 17 (29/2/20) fixtures (home side named first)…..

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf

Strathalbyn v Woodside 

Mount Barker v Nairne

Lobethal v Wistow

Bremer-Callington has the bye