Woodside moved within two points of the top four after a very important 41-run win against Strathalbyn during round 14 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Woodside on Saturday. The Warriors batted first with Jeremy Snoad (13) and Tommy Baldock (11) the only batsmen in the Woodside top-six to reach double figures as they slipped to a precarious 6/70. Sam Pullen and Shane Collins (17 not out) then came together for a match-defining partnership worth 65 runs for the seventh wicket with Pullen smashing 66 from 53 balls with one boundary and seven sixes! Woodside managed to post 142 before being bowled out in the 41st over. All six Stallions bowlers took wickets with Matt Roberts (2/6), Matt Abbott (2/16), Zach Reekie (2/20) and Ben Cousins (2/34) leading the way. Luke Cousins (17) and Matt Abbott (14) got the visitors off to a solid start with a 28-run first wicket stand before a dramatic collapse of 5/12, left the Stallions in deep trouble at 5/40. Ben Cousins (18 not out) and Brayden Gaiter (12) battled hard but ultimately Strathalbyn were bowled out for 101. Sam Luck was the star with the ball for Woodside was he claimed figures of 5/17 (9), the second five-wicket haul of his ‘A’ grade career. Luck was ably supported by Shane Collins with 3/10 (6.1). 

Lobethal won their fifth game in a row to consolidate second spot on the AEHCA ladder with a 32-run victory at home against Hahndorf. It was another tough day for the batsmen at the Tigers home ground with only one batsman, Lobethal’s Daniel Norsworthy, passing 30. Lobethal batted first and their innings was dominated by Norsworthy who scored a patient 52 from 122 balls as the home side posted 136 before being bowled out in the 45th over. For Hahndorf, Benny Montgomerie (3/30), Caleb Blesing (2/19) and Sam Williams (2/20) were the leading wicket takers. Hahndorf’s run chase never really got going with only Nick Mosey (28) and Greg Hassold (25) passing 20 for the reigning premiers as they were bowled out for 104 in the 41st over. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets in a fine all-round performance. Mitch Weeks (3/15) and Cam Winen (3/23) were the standouts for the Tigers. Winen has gone to the top of the AEHCA wicket takers list with 25 wickets at 10.60 so far in 2020/21. 

Nairne joined Woodside just two points outside the top four as they accounted for Mount Barker at the Showgrounds. The Razorbacks batted first and through good partnerships between Luke Timmins (36) and Sam Rowe (44) worth 54 runs, and then Rowe and Mitch Hein who put on 91 runs for the fifth wicket, Nairne put up a very competitive score of 7/226 from their 45 overs. Hein was the standout for Nairne as he scored the second half century of his ‘A’ grade career with 52 not out from 55 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Caleb Walker (3/28) and Hayden Lane (3/45) were the multiple wicket takers for the Kookaburras. Mount Barker got off to a solid start with Wayne Buckland (18) and Chris Paterson (17) adding 37 runs for the first wicket. Chris Pulford, with 37 from 48 balls, made his highest score of the season but no other batsman could pass 20 with Mount Barker finishing their innings on 9/144. Mitch Hein continued his excellent day with 3/30 (9) while brother Matt took 3/18 from his nine overs.

Langhorne Creek maintained their six-point lead at the top of the AEHCA ladder with a convincing 96-run win on the Hill at Wistow. Langhorne Creek batted first and were in early trouble at 3/21 with Daniel Kropp (7), Daniel Cleggett (1) and Ben Warren (10) all back on the sidelines. Adam Clements joined veteran Matt Tonkin (18) in a fourth wicket stand worth 56 runs as the Tigers began to resurrect their innings before Jaspa Tonkin combined with Clements to add 69 runs for the fifth wicket with Clements going on to make a fine 63 from 72 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). James Shea (21) was next in and the Tigers got another tidy partnership of 48 runs as Jaspa Tonkin brought up his first ‘A’ grade half century with 69 from 80 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes. Langhorne Creek recovered nicely from their poor start to make 8/219 from their 45 overs. Lachlan Elsworthy (2/26), Harry Burgess (2/34) and Daniel Jenner (2/40) were the multiple wicket takers for the Echidnas. The home side struggled to score against the Tigers strong bowling lineup with only Matt Chapman (26) passing 20 as Wistow finished on 8/123 after 45 overs. Darcy Paech continued his breakout season with 3/17 (6) and now has 21 wickets for the season. Paech was well supported by Daniel Cleggett (2/27), while Clements (1/14 off seven overs) and Warren (0/10 off nine overs) kept things tight. 

Bremer/Callington had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 14)

Langhorne Creek 42, Lobethal 36, Strathalbyn 32, Hahndorf 30, Woodside 28, Nairne 28, Bremer/Callington 12, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 15 fixtures (13/2/21) (home team named first)

Strathalbyn v Bremer/Callington

Hahndorf v Wistow

Langhorne Creek v Mount Barker

Nairne v Woodside

Lobethal has the bye