Woodside has bounced back from a disappointing loss last week to consolidate a top four spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA)  ‘A’ grade ladder after a big 153-run victory over Bremer-Callington at Woodside Oval on Saturday. The Warriors won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first as they got off to a great start with an opening stand of 97 between Tommy Baldock (51) and Will Worthington (61). Veteran batsman Dave Wescombe continued the carnage with a whirlwind knock of 72 from just 48 balls (10 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) before Sam Luck (42) and Brad Collins (27) kept the innings ticking over with Woodside finishing up on 7/299. Jonah Smith came on late for the Cobras to take 3/9 from two overs. The visitors began their run chase well with Arsalan Eubaid (47) and Stewart Leigh (26) putting on 73 for the first wicket but from then on it was all Woodside with only skipper, Johnny Fitzgerald (28), getting to double figures as Bremer-Callington were bowled out for 146. Wescombe continued his good day taking 4/10 from five overs, his best figures in almost seven years. Charlie McDonough (2/29) and Chris Baschiera (2/45) were the other multiple wicket takers.

Hahndorf continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive 97-run victory over Wistow at Hahndorf Oval. Batting first, Hahndorf were bowled out in the 43rd over for a very competitive 225. Veteran opener, Andrew Baker, continued his good start to the season with 59 and he was supported by skipper Kris Dawe (26) and Jarrad Tait (22). The total was boosted by an incredible 54 extras! Lachlan Elsworthy (3/46) and Sam Smith (3/52) led the way with the ball for the visitors. Wistow’s run chase started well as the Echidnas reached 2/90 with Dan Jenner (33), David Kinlough (33) and Lachlan Elsworthy (26) all contributing before a collapse of 8/38 saw Wistow bowled out for just 128 in the 36th over. Benny Montgomerie was the star with the ball taking his first five-wicket haul with the figures of 5/24 from 6.4 overs.

Strathalbyn also remain undefeated after a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over a disappointing Lobethal outfit at Strathalbyn Oval. The home side won the toss and sent the Tigers in to bat and it only took 19.1 overs for the Stallions to roll them for just 52. Only Matt Jenkin (17) could reach double figures for Lobethal as Matt Hein (4/8), Danny Horan (2/17) and Brayden Gaiter (2/18) ran riot. The Stallions lost three early wickets in the run chase to slip to 3/29 but Nathan Pelle (16 not out) steadied the ship as the winning runs came up in just the 16th over as Strathalbyn retained top spot on the AEHCA ladder. Lobethal's Dave Huxter tried hard with the ball to snare 3/21.

Reigning premier Langhorne Creek notched their third consecutive win as they defeated Nairne by 30 runs on the turf at Langhorne Creek. The home side batted first and got off to an excellent start with Nathan Wundersitz (55) and Shannon Jones (23) putting on 69 for the first wicket. Once Jones was dismissed, Wundersitz was joined by Cameron Cox (23) and these two took the score to 1/109 and a score of 200+ looked on the cards. Nairne teenager Duncan Rogers, in just his third ‘A’ grade game, put the brakes on the reigning premier by taking an impressive 5/40 from eight overs as the home side battled their way to 9/187 from their 45 overs. Nairne had fought back well in the field but it all went pear shaped early in the run chase as Troy Blackwell (3/18) removed the top three batsmen to have the Razorbacks reeling at 3/31. Skipper Luke Timmins (30) steadied the ship and Michael Harden added a hard hitting 32 not out from 31 balls as Nairne finished at 8/157.

You can access the AEHCA ‘A’ grade ladder at this link…..http://aehca.sa.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/ladder.aspx?entityid=3140&id=RV_LAD&mode=0&

Round 5 (9/11/19) fixtures (home sides named first)

Bremer Callington v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Woodside

Nairne v Strathalbyn

Mount Barker v Wistow

Langhorne Creek has the bye