Strathalbyn has moved into second spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following a five-wicket win over Bremer/Callington at Callington Oval (Turf) on Saturday. The home side batted first and were under early pressure at 4/37 with Arsalan Eubaid (20) the only batsman in the top four to reach double figures. Jai McMurtrie joined acting captain Johnny Fitzgerald as this pair attempted to resurrect the innings with a 49-run fifth wicket partnership before Fitzgerald was dismissed for 15 with the score at 5/86. McMurtrie went on to top score with 44 from 73 balls (4 x 4’s) but there wasn’t much resistance from the lower order as the Cobras were bowled out for 135 in the 43rd over. Brayden Gaiter (3/25) continued his good season and he was ably supported by Matthew Harris (3/33) and Matt Abbott (2/22). Despite losing Steve Schofield (2) early, Strathalbyn steadied through a 26-run second wicket partnership between Luke Cousins (22) and skipper Mark Abbott before Harris joined Mark Abbott in a match-defining 59-run stand for the third wicket before Harris was dismissed for 26 (43 balls). Abbott continued on to finish with 50 not out (78 balls), his second half century in a row, as the Stallions won by five wickets in the 39th over. Amit Maina was the standout bowler for the Cobras as he snared 3/19 from his nine over spell while Nathan Fitzgerald bowled well to finish with 1/21 (9).

Hahndorf moved back inside the top-four with a comfortable 87-run victory on the hill at Wistow. Hahndorf batted first and despite losing Benny Montgomerie (0) early, compiled a healthy total of 6/263 from their 45 overs. The Magpies' big total was set up by Graydon Brand who top scored with 84, his highest score for the Magpies in his third season with the club. Skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker (41 not out), Shaun Tait (32) and Lachlan Huxtable (22) all made handy contributions as well. Harry Burgess (3/57) and Lachlan Elsworthy (2/66) were the multiple wicket takers for the Echidnas. Wistow were under pressure early in the run chase as they slumped to 4/43 before Matt Chapman was joined by Burgess. This pair added 113 for the fifth wicket in a partnership dominated by Chapman. Burgess finished 17 not out while Chapman made his second ‘A’ grade ton with a punishing knock of 113 from 86 balls. His innings included 15 boundaries and five ‘maximums’. The home side finished on 5/176 from their 45 overs. Michael Shanahan was the pick of the Hahndorf bowlers with 2/18 (9).

Langhorne Creek remained undefeated through six rounds following their 57-run victory over Mount Barker. Langhorne Creek batted first and got off to a fast start thanks to a 75-run opening stand between Brodie O’Dea (42 from 40 balls) and Daniel Kropp (31 from 27 balls). Once O’Dea and Kropp were dismissed, Mount Barker took control as they reduced the Tigers to 5/98. Jacob Tonkin (7) joined skipper Daniel Cleggett to add 33 runs for the sixth wicket and then David Mudge (27) combined with Cleggett to put on 51 runs for the eighth wicket as the Tigers recovered to make 9/207 from their 45 overs. Cleggett went on to top score with 45 from 68 balls (3 x 4’s) in a very important innings for his side. Five Kookaburras bowlers took wickets with Deklan Porter snaring 3/31 (9). The Kookaburras got off to a good start with the in-form Chris Paterson making 28 from 24 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) and adding 35 runs for the first wicket with Jackson Lane (20). Paterson has now made 240 runs at an average of 48 to lead the AEHCA in runs scored for 2020/21. Chris Pulford top scored with 29 and there were handy contributions from Rhys Paterson (14) and Simon Turk (14) but no Mount Barker batsman could go on to a big score as the Kookaburras finished their innings at 9/150 from their 45 overs. Six Tigers bowlers took wickets with Darcy Paech continuing his good season with figures of 4/40 from eight overs. Paech has 11 wickets at 15.45 for the season so far. 

Woodside won their third game of the season with an 85-run victory over Nairne at Woodside Oval. The Razorbacks sent Woodside in to bat and the Warriors started well through in-form openers Tommy Baldock (38) and Dave Wescombe (42) who put on 62 for the first wicket. Four quick wickets to Nairne saw the home side slip to 4/93 and they were in danger of posting a sub-par score before Sam Pullen (29) joined his skipper Brad Collins in a 42-run fifth wicket partnership. Brad Collins continued on and added a further 51 runs for the seventh wicket with Shane Collins (18 not out) as the Warriors finished on 6/201. Brad Collins ended up with 53 not out from just 56 balls. Chad Harrop (2/16) and Matt Hein (2/30) took the bowling honours for Nairne. The Razorbacks' run chase started badly as they crashed to 3/28 with teenager Charlie McDonough taking all three wickets on his way to figures of 3/20 (9). James Graves top scored with 34 from 72 balls (5 x 4’s) but there were no other major contributions as Nairne were bowled out for 116 in the 41st over. Chris Baschiera took 3/22 while Nick Johns jnr, on his ‘A’ grade debut, snared 3/28 from his nine overs. 

Lobethal had the bye.

Ladder (after round 6)

Langhorne Creek 24, Strathalbyn 16, Woodside 12, Hahndorf 12, Lobethal 12, Nairne 12, Bremer/Callington 4, Mount Barker 4, Wistow 0.