Strathalbyn handed Langhorne Creek their first defeat of the 2020/21 Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season on Saturday with a 46-run victory at Strathalbyn Oval. The Stallions batted first with Luke Cousins (24) and Zach Reekie (23) opening up with a 45-run partnership.Skipper Mark Abbott and Ashbourne recruit Matthew Harris then set up the home side's big total with a punishing fourth wicket stand worth 142 runs. Abbott finished with 76 not out from 77 balls (9 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) while Harris made his highest score for Strathalbyn with a hard hitting 77 from just 55 balls which included 12 boundaries and a ‘maximum’ as the Stallions posted 5/230 from their 45 overs. Brodie O’Dea (2/45) and Troy Blackwell (2/46) were the multiple wicket takers for the Tigers. Langhorne Creek started well in their run chase with Daniel Kropp (34) and Chris Russo (32) putting on 63 runs for the first wicket. Once Russo was dismissed, the visitors lost 7/37 to be 7/100 and basically out of the game. Danny Horan (4/23) took his best figures of the season and he was ably supported by Reekie who claimed 3/30 from his nine overs. James Shea (31), Blackwell (28 not out) and David Mudge (25) put up late resistance for the Tigers but eventually they were bowled out for 184 in the 43rd over.

Woodside defeated Wistow by 116 runs and in the process won their second game on the trot to move into third spot on the AEHCA ladder. Woodside were happy to bat first on their home deck as Tommy Baldock and Dave Wescombe continued their good form as opening partners to add 52 runs before Wescombe was dismissed for 29 from 35 balls. It was the sixth time the pair had put on 50 or more runs for an opening stand this season. Baldock went on to make 44 from 68 balls to give him 330 runs so far in 2020/21. Sam Luck chipped in with a run-a-ball 32 but the real star of the innings for the Warriors was their skipper, Brad Collins, who smashed 65 from just 53 balls. Collins’ innings contained six boundaries and three sixes as his side finished on 9/230 from their 45 overs. Harry Burgess (3/55) and Matt Chapman (2/40) were the multiple wicket takers for Wistow. The Echidnas were never really in the run chase with only Lachlan Elsworthy (32), Chapman (30) and Travis Lynn (26) reaching double figures as Wistow were bowled out for 114. Six Woodside bowlers claimed wickets with Shane Collins (3/8) and Luck (2/11) the chief destroyers.

Reigning premiers Hahndorf stayed in second spot on the ladder with a convincing 95-run victory at Mount Barker. After losing three early wickets, the Magpies consolidated through good contributions from the middle and lower order. Michael Shanahan (42) made his highest ‘A’ grade score and with help from Nick Mosey (33), skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker and Shaun Tait (20), helped get his side to 9/203 from their allotted 45 overs. The Kookaburras bowled well and shared the wickets around with Rhys Paterson (2/30), Deklan Porter (2/32), Simon Turk (2/34) and Hayden Lane (2/53) among the wicket takers. Chris Paterson got the Kookaburras off to a flying start with 30 from just 24 balls before his side lost 3/0 to slip to 3/37. Porter added 25 but the home side never recovered as they were bowled out in the 35th over for just 108. Trafford-Walker (3/7) and Shanahan (3/30) continued their excellent day while teenager Bradey Judd snared 2/6 to give the Magpies their fifth victory of the season. 

Lobethal won their second game in a row as they defeated Bremer/Callington by four wickets at Lobethal oval. The visitors battled hard to bat out their 45 overs and score 8/156 with skipper Jai McMurtrie (54 not out) and Chris Schilling (27) leading the way. Lobethal’s strong bowling lineup shared the wickets around with Mitch Weeks snaring 3/19 from nine economical overs while Cam Winen (2/20) and Matt Martin (2/34) gave good support to Weeks. Ben Matthews got Lobethal off to a flyer in the run chase with 72 from 74 balls (8 x 4’s). Matthews is having an excellent season with 320 runs at an average of 64.00 so far. He was well supported by Sam Graeber (30) and Lachlan Bates (21) as the winning runs were knocked off in the 31st over. Sandeep Huda (2/29) was the pick of the Cobras bowlers. 

Nairne had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 11)

Langhorne Creek 34, Hahndorf 26, Woodside 24, Lobethal 24, Strathalbyn 24, Nairne 20, Bremer/Callington 8, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 12 fixtures (16/1/21) (home team named first)

Wistow v Strathalbyn

Woodside v Langhorne Creek

Nairne v Bremer/Callington

Mount Barker v Lobethal

Hahndorf has the bye