Strathalbyn moved back inside the top-four on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder with a six-wicket win over Woodside at Strathalbyn Oval. The Stallions have been inconsistent this season with their form line reading WLWLW through the first five rounds. On Saturday they put in an excellent performance to bowl Woodside out for 137 in the 44th over after the Warriors had got off to an excellent start through opening pair Tommy Baldock and Dave Wescombe. The openers put on 50 runs before the in-form Baldock was dismissed for 29. Wescombe carried on to make 73 from 92 balls (6 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), his highest score of the season. Sam Pullen (11) was the only other Woodside batsman to reach double figures as the Warriors lost their last six wickets for 27 runs. Brayden Gaiter (3/14), Mark Abbott (3/28) and Zach Reekie (2/28) took the bowling honours for Strathalbyn. The run chase started badly for the Stallions with both openers dismissed and the score sitting at 2/13. Veteran Steve Schofield and skipper Mark Abbott came together to steady the ship with an 88-run third wicket stand before Schofield was dismissed for 40 (93 balls). Abbott continued on to make his highest score of the season with an undefeated 57 (91 balls) to get his side over the line in the 44th over. Four Woodside bowlers took wickets with Steve Ball (1/11 off nine overs) and Shane Collins (1/14 off eight overs) bowling excellent spells.

Hahndorf won their second game of the year with a comfortable five-wicket win over Lobethal at Hahndorf Oval. The Tigers batted first and reliable opening pair, Ben Matthews and Mitch Weeks, got them off to a good start with a 72-run opening stand before Weeks was dismissed for 22 (36 balls). Matthews went on to top score with 46 from 85 balls (5 x 4’s), his highest score of 2020/21. Unfortunately the rest of the batsmen didn’t contribute much with only Matt Martin (18) and Matt Jenkin (11) making it to double figures. The Magpies strong bowling attack shared the wickets around with Benny Montgomerie (3/18), skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker (3/30), Shaun Tait (2/23) and Michael Shanahan (2/34) doing all the damage. In the run chase, Montgomerie continued his good day for Hahndorf as he made the third ‘A’ grade half century of his career with a top-scoring 54. Graydon Brand (27) and Greg Hassold (16) made handy contributions as the winning runs were knocked off in the 35th over. Will Zadow (2/17) and Cam Winen (2/33) were the pick of the Lobethal bowlers.

Nairne have hit form with three consecutive wins to leapfrog their way into second spot on the AEHCA ladder. On Saturday they hosted Mount Barker and after winning the toss and batting, the Razorbacks were in deep trouble at 5/40. Kookaburras vice-captain Simon Turk took four of those wickets en-route to his best figures for Mount Barker of 4/29 (9). A rescue job was needed and Richard Boscence (22) and Mitch Hein set about just that with a 53-run sixth wicket union. Once Boscence was dismissed, Mitch Hein was joined by brother Matt (14) in another excellent partnership, this time worth 60 runs for the seventh wicket before Mitch was dismissed for a career-best 62. Chad Harrop (26 not out) and Brodie Clarke (11 not out) then put on an undefeated 38-run stand for the ninth wicket to lift the Razorbacks to 8/197 from their 45 overs. A total scarcely believable after the start they had. The Kookaburras were brave in their run chase as Chris Paterson and Turk added 66 runs for the third wicket as Mount Barker got themselves to 2/106. Unfortunately once Turk was dismissed for 24 (25 balls) it was all left up to Paterson as the run chase faltered, ultimately ending 36 runs short at 8/161. Paterson went on to make 95 from 141 balls (5 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s), his second half century in a row after making 89 last week against Bremer/Callington. Matt Hein snared 3/45 (7) with Clarke (2/13) and Harrop (2/31) adding good support.

Langhorne Creek continued their unbeaten start to the season with a huge 155-run victory over Wistow at the Creek. Wistow lost the toss and started well in the field as the Tigers were soon in trouble at 2/32 with Lachlan Elsworthy (2/57) claiming both wickets. That was pretty much the end of the good news for the Echidnas as Daniel Kropp and Ben Warren added 128 runs for the third wicket to take the game away. Warren smashed his way to 85 from just 62 balls (12 x 4’s, 1 x 6) while Kropp made his highest ‘A’ grade score with 67 from 64 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6). The Echidnas hit back with four quick wickets before Troy Blackwell (40 not out) and Jacob Tonkin (32) lifted Langhorne Creek to a total of all out 264 (44.4). Josh Fidler (2/44) joined Elsworthy with two wickets for Wistow. The visitors could only muster 109 in reply as they were bowled out in the 36th over. Lachlan Elsworthy top scored for Wistow with 35. Blackwell’s good day continued as he snared 4/25 (8.3) and he was well supported by Brodie O’Dea with 3/23 (9).

Bremer/Callington had the bye.

Ladder (after round 5)

Langhorne Creek 20, Nairne 12, Lobethal 12, Strathalbyn 12, Woodside 8, Hahndorf 8, Bremer/Callington 4, Mount Barker 4, Wistow 0.

Round 6 fixtures (home team named first)

Bremer/Callington v Strathalbyn

Wistow v Hahndorf

Mount Barker v Langhorne Creek

Woodside v Nairne

Lobethal has the bye