There was cause for celebration on the Hill at Wistow as the Echidnas finally banked their first win for 2019/20 during round 14 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). What made it even sweeter was the win came at the expense of fierce rival Mount Barker. The Kookaburras won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive total of 8/168 from their 45 overs. Simon Turk (39), former Palmer and Lobethal premiership player Craig Paech (37), Deklan Porter (26) and Wayne Buckland (22) all got starts for the visitors. Wistow skipper Daniel Jenner was the standout with the ball taking 3/21 (9). It was the ‘Daniel Jenner Show’ as Wistow set about chasing down their target with the Jenner notching his fifth ‘A’ grade century with an outstanding knock of 115 not out from 98 balls (16 x 4, 4 x 6). Jenner got good support from opening partner Daniel Hughes (19), with the pair adding 91 for the first wicket, and then from Lachlan Elsworthy (10 not out) in an unbroken 62-run third wicket stand. Caleb Walker (2/34) took both the wickets for Mount Barker.

Lobethal have continued their excellent run of form as they crushed Woodside by 189 runs at Woodside Oval. The Tigers have not tasted defeat since way back on 9 November. Lobethal batted first and posted an imposing total of 6/300 with Lachy Bates (85 not out), Matt Martin (82) and Daniel Norsworthy (81) dominating the innings. It was a tough day for the Woodside bowlers with Dale Robinson (2/55) and Chris Baschiera (2/57) the multiple wicket takers. Woodside were always going to be up against it as they slumped to 6/49 in the run chase. Baschiera (49 from 49 balls) added a bit of respectability to the score before the Warriors were bowled out for 111 in the 27th over. Four Lobethal bowlers took wickets with James Elliott (3/16), Dave Huxter (3/26) and Mitch Weeks (2/27) the main destroyers.

Strathalbyn kept their grip on top spot with a hard fought 58-run home win over Nairne. The home side batted first and were in early trouble at 2/21 before Matt Abbott (23) joined his skipper Mark Abbott in a much needed 42-run partnership for the third wicket before Daniel Pegler (16) and Mark Abbott added 59 runs for the fourth wicket. Mark Abbott continued on to finish with 63 from 102 balls. The Stallions skipper now has 507 runs (50.70) for the season. Veteran Steven Schofield (32 from 35 balls) gave some impetus to the end of the innings as his side finished on 7/179 from their 45 overs. Nairne’s Mitch Hein continued his good recent form to snare 2/26 (9). The Razorbacks run chase started well with Sam Rowe (31) and Rob Crook (18) adding 48 runs for the first wicket but from the moment this partnership was broken, it was all Strathalbyn as 

the Stallions took the last 10 Nairne wickets for just 73 runs as the Razorbacks were bowled out for 121 in the 38th over. Five Strathalbyn bowlers took wickets with Matt Hein (3/17), Brayden Gaiter (3/26) and Matt Abbott (2/8) leading the way.

Hahndorf consolidated second spot on the AEHCA ladder after a comprehensive 91-run win over Bremer-Callington at Hahndorf Oval. The Magpies batted first and were in early trouble at 3/25 before Lachlan Huxtable (13) joined Graydon Brand to add 58 runs for the fourth wicket, before another good partnership worth 53 between Ryan Trafford-Walker (23) and Brand lifted the home side to a strong position at 4/136. Brand continued on to post his highest score for Hahndorf with a fine innings of 81 before the Cobras struck back hard through a fine spell of bowling from Nathan Fitzgerald who snared 5/24 (9) to bowl the Magpies out for 174 in the 43rd over. It was Fitzgerald's first five-wicket haul in 'A' grade ranks. Unfortunately the Cobras comeback didn’t flow over into their run chase as they slumped to 4/19 before eventually being bowled out for just 83 in the 27th over. Arsalan Eubaid (22) was the only batsman to pass 20. Caleb Blesing (4/21) and Trafford-Walker (3/12) did most of the damage for the Magpies as they banked their ninth win of the campaign.

Round 15 (15/2/20) fixtures (home side named first)…..

Mount Barker v Woodside

Wistow v Strathalbyn

Bremer-Callington v Langhorne Creek

Nairne v Lobethal

Hahndorf has the bye