Reigning premier Langhorne Creek has consolidated its position in the top four with a fourth consecutive victory in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) after a tight 11-run home win over Bremer-Callington. Langhorne Creek batted first and struggled all innings to get any meaningful partnerships going with only skipper Matt Tonkin (39), Nathan Wundersitz (32) and Jacob Tonkin(16) reaching double figures as they were bowled out for 136 in the 40th over. Mishal Khan (3/29) was the pick of the bowlers for the Cobras. Khan plays with Port Adelaide in SACA Premier Cricket but as they had the bye, Khan debuted for Bremer-Callington. The visitors run chase began well as they reached 1/41 with Arsalan Eubaid (21) the mainstay of the top order. Wickets fell steadily from then on as the Cobras slipped to 6/81. Khan (60) was holding the innings together as he was joined by Chris Schilling and this pair took Bremer-Callington within sight of victory at 6/117 before the last four wickets fell for just eight runs and the Cobras were bowled out for 125 with 35 balls left. Matt Tonkin (3/12) and Cameron Cox (3/18) were the stars with the ball for Langhorne Creek.

Woodside has bounced back after a disappointing loss last week to crush Mount Barker by 189 runs at Woodside Oval. The Warriors batted first and put up a large total of 5/281 from their 45 overs. Veteran Dave Wescombe starred with the willow, notching a rapid half century before being dismissed for 81 from just 52 balls. Wescombe’s knock included 12 x 4’s and 2 x 6’s. There were plenty of useful contributions from a number of Woodside batsmen including Will Worthington (49), James Bradley (46 not out) and Tommy Baldock (35). Ishan Razik (2/24) was the only multiple wicket taker for Mount Barker. The visitors run chase got off to the worst possible start with Chris Paterson dismissed first ball of the innings as the Kookaburras slumped to 5/29. Deklan Porter (26) top scored as Mount Barker were eventually dismissed for just 92 in the 35th over. Dale Robinson (3/25) continued his fine season for Woodside. Robinson now has 12 wickets for the season and is tied in second spot for most wickets in the AEHCA this season. Charlie McDonough also snared three scalps to finish with 3/31.

Strathalbyn got a big scare from winless Wistow but managed to hang on for their fifth win of the 2019/20 campaign after a tight 17-run victory at home. The Stallions batted first and were in a big hole at 7/92 with veteran Steve Schofield playing a lone hand in the top order. Schofield finally found an ally in youngster Brayden Gaiter (31) as this pair added an extremely valuable 65 runs for the eighth wicket to lift the home side past 150 before being bowled out in the 43rd over for 165. Schofield finished with the highest score of the innings with 45 (79 balls). Steve Nettle bowled an excellent spell for the Echidnas to finish with 3/17 (9) and he was ably supported by ‘A’ grade debutant Harrison Burgess who took 2/19 (6). Burgess had a good day with the ball after taking 2/6 for Wistow’s under 16’s in the morning at Woodside! Wistow started their run chase well with an opening stand of 33 between skipper Dan Jenner and Liam Willis (10). Jenner was batting beautifully but he needed some support as the Echidnas slipped to 7/96 and seemingly out of the contest. Jenner was joined by Nettle and these two lifted the Echidnas hopes with a battling partnership worth 28 runs before Nettle was dismissed for 10. Jenner batted on and got his side within 18 runs of what would have been a famous victory but he was dismissed for a fine 88 (106 balls) and Wistow were bowled out for 148 with 23 balls remaining. Matt Abbott (3/18) took his season’s tally to 12 wickets for Strathalbyn and he was backed up by spinner Matt Hein (3/27), Gaiter (2/23) and Danny Horan (2/35).

Lobethal notched its second win of the season after a comfortable 10-wicket win over Nairne at Lobethal Oval. The home side sent the Razorbacks in and after losing two early wickets, the visitors steadied to reach 2/66 with Richard Boscence (32) and skipper Luke Timmins (18) putting on 48 for the third wicket before a collapse of 5/24 left Nairne in all sorts of trouble at 8/90. Veteran Michael Harden made sure the score passed three figures as he made 29 (36 balls) as his side finished on 9/127 from their 45 overs. James Elliott claimed his best ‘A’ grade figures with 4/26 from six overs and Cameron Winen chimed in with 2/23 (7). The Tigers set about knocking off the target as quickly as possible and they guaranteed themselves an early finish with Mitch Weeks and skipper Ben Matthews both making 55 not out as they knocked off the runs in the 20th over to give Lobethal a nice percentage boost after their second consecutive victory.

You can access the AEHCA premiership tables at this link…..http://aehca.sa.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/ladder.aspx?entityid=3140&id=RV_LAD&mode=0&

Round 7 (23/11/19) fixtures (home sides named first)…..

Nairne v Hahndorf

Langhorne Creek v Woodside

Mount Barker v Lobethal

Wistow v Bremer-Callington

Strathalbyn has the bye