Wistow won their first game of the 2020/21 Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season following an 18-run victory at Mount Barker in round nine action. Wistow batted first and were set for a big total as they moved to 2/96 with skipper Matt Chapman (31), David Kinlough (29) and Hayden Elsworthy (22) making handy contributions. The Echidnas then collapsed to lose their last 8/45 to be bowled out for 141 in the 35th over. Simon Turk (4/33), Caleb Walker (2/25) and Deklan Porter (2/40) were the multiple wicket takers for the Kookaburras. Mount Barker started their run chase in disastrous fashion as they slumped to 3/17 before Turk and Alex Lee set about rectifying the situation. This pair added 45 runs before Lee was dismissed for 19 with the home side just 28 runs from victory. Wistow now had a sniff of their first victory since round 14 last season as they got on a roll to take the last five wickets for just nine runs to see Mount Barker bowled out for 123 in the 40th over. Turk was the last man dismissed for 53 from 78 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). After a fine opening spell from Lachlan Elsworthy of 2/23 (9), it was teenager Oscar Chapman who was the hero for the Echidnas as he took career-best figures of 4/4 from three overs! Chapman still plays in Wistow’s under 16’s and is an exciting prospect for the Echidnas future.

Langhorne Creek continued on their merry way with a seventh consecutive victory to start the 2020/21 season after a convincing 85-run win at Bremer/Callington. Langhorne Creek batted first and posted 8/214 from their 45 overs. It’s the fourth time this season the powerful Tigers batting line-up has surpassed 200. Ben Warren led the way with 49 from 55 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) and he was well supported by debutant Tom Whittlesea (29), James Shea (27 not out) and Dan Kropp (27). The Cobras gave away a whopping 35 extras which helped boost the Tigers’ total. Cobras acting captain Jai McMurtrie took 3/18 while the other multiple wicket takers were Amit Maina (2/17) and Nick Williams (2/39). The Cobras were never in the hunt during their run chase with McMurtrie (40) the only batsman to pass 20. McMurtrie hit five boundaries in his 65-ball innings. Troy Blackwell was the pick of the Langhorne Creek bowlers with 3/25 (6.4) to give him 14 wickets for the season. Whittlesea capped off his good debut for the Tigers with 2/29 from his nine over spell.

Woodside were in a good position to win their clash at Hahndorf before weather intervened with the Warriors 0/32 off just three overs in pursuit of Hahndorf’s total of 136. Dave Wescombe (16 not out) and Tommy Baldock (12 not out) got the Warriors off to a flying start but sadly it was to no avail. Earlier Hahndorf batted first and were in big trouble as they slipped to 8/71 with veteran Greg Hassold (35 from 60 balls) the only batsman in the top seven to reach double figures. Bradey Judd (25) joined Caleb Blesing (31 not out) in an all-important 61-run ninth wicket stand before the Magpies were bowled out in the 44th over. Woodside's Chris Baschiera (4/27) went to equal top of the AEHCA wicket takers list for the season with 14 wickets at an average of 11.43, while Nick Johns jnr. (2/28) and Charlie McDonough (2/32) chipped in with a couple of wickets each.

Nairne won their third game for the season with an excellent 36-run win at Lobethal. Nairne made 7/160 from their 45 overs with openers Shane Kenney (56) and Robert Crook (36) adding 84 runs for the first wicket. Once Kenney was dismissed, the Razorbacks lost 5/22 to slump to 5/106 before Matt Hein scored 25 to lift the visitors to their final total. Matt Jenkin took his best figures of the season with 3/22 from nine overs while Will Zadow chipped in with 2/18 (6). Lobethal looked in great shape as they reached 1/71 with Ben Matthews (33) and Dan Norsworthy (30) in control. The Tigers then had a spectacular collapse as they lost 5/6 to be in all sorts of bother at 6/77. The spin bowling of Matt Hein (3/28) and Sam Rowe (2/13) did the damage for the Razorbacks before Matt Martin tried to rescue Lobethal with a top-scoring 36 from 47 balls but when Chad Harrop dismissed Martin, it was basically all over for the home side as they were bowled out for 124 in the 38th over. Harrop finished with career best 'A' grade figures of 4/22 from 8.4 overs.

Strathalbyn had the bye.

Ladder (after round 9)

Langhorne Creek 30, Strathalbyn 20, Hahndorf 18, Woodside 16, Lobethal 16, Nairne 16, Bremer/Callington 8, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 10 fixtures (home team named first)

Strathalbyn v Hahndorf

Langhorne Creek v Nairne

Wistow v Lobethal

Bremer/Callington v Woodside

Lobethal has the bye