Woodside moved to third spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following a comprehensive 149-run victory over the previously undefeated Lobethal at Woodside Oval. The home side batted first and racked up an imposing total of 3/242 from their 45 overs with Tommy Baldock scoring his first ‘A’ grade century. Baldock batted throughout the innings to score 104 not out from 137 balls (10 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), his first ‘A’ grade century. Baldock was involved in three significant partnerships during the innings. A 56-run opening partnership with Dave Wescombe (35), 75 runs for the third wicket with Todd Price (42), and an undefeated fourth wicket stand with Brad Collins (32 not out) worth 92 runs. It was a tough day for the Lobethal bowlers with Dave Huxter (1/18), Cam Winen (1/48) and Mitch Weeks (1/56) the wicket takers for the Tigers. Lobethal were never in the hunt during the run chase as they were bowled out for just 93 in the 30th over. Only Dan Norsworthy (17) and Jacob Collins (15) made 15 runs or more for the Tigers. Sam Luck (3/11), Steve Ball (3/26) and Chris Baschiera (2/12) were the multiple wicket takers for the Warriors. Ball has 12 wickets at an average of 9.58 to lead the AEHCA wicket takers in 2020/21.

Nairne won their second game in a row with a 68-run win against Strathalbyn at Nairne Oval. The win was set up by the top order of the Razorbacks with opener Jarrad Tait smashing 67 from just 44 balls. Tait hit 8 x 4’s and 3 x 6’s before being the first man dismissed with the score on 95. Robert Crook (31) and Sam Rowe (37) continued on for the home side with Mitch Hein (22) and Matt Hein (19 not out) adding some important runs at the end of the innings as Nairne posted a good total of 221 before being bowled out in the 43rd over. In his second game for the Stallions, Tim Dellatorre took 4/41 (8) and he was well supported by Matt Abbott who snared 2/22 (8). Nairne lost Tait early in the innings to an ankle injury but Mitch Hein (1/16) stepped up with the big wicket of the in-form Luke Cousins and Chad Harrop (2/17) and Matt Hein (2/30) claimed a couple of wickets each. Shane Kenney stepped in to run-out the Stallions skipper Mark Abbott to keep Nairne right on top. Zach Reekie (25) and Brayden Gaiter (25) were the only Strathalbyn batsmen to make more than 20 as they finished their 45 overs on 8/153.

Mount Barker won their first game of the season with opening batsman Chris Paterson leading from the front in the Kookaburras 44-run win over Bremer/Callington at Mount Barker. Paterson made 89 from 115 balls (11 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) and combined with Jackson Lane (41) in a match-defining 113-run first wicket stand. Kaushal Gupta (27) added some important runs at the end of the innings as the Kookaburras finished on 6/190 from their 45 overs. Brad Louch (3/20) and Nick Williams (2/17) were the pick of the Cobras bowlers. The Bremer/Callington run chase started disastrously with Ajay Pundir being removed first ball by Hayden Lane who finished with the excellent figures of 3/22 from his nine overs. Arsalan Eubaid and Alfie Wenk came together and added 86 runs for the second wicket to give the visitors some hope before Wenk was dismissed for 32 (62 balls). Eubaid (50 from 87 balls) went on to register his third half century for the Cobras but when he was dismissed, Bremer/Callington lost 5/8 and the chase was over as the innings concluded at 9/146. Chris Pulford (2/20) and Jackson Lane (2/36) joined Hayden Lane as multiple wicket takers for the Kookaburras.

Langhorne Creek continued their hot start to the 2020/21 season with a fourth consecutive victory, this time by eight wickets over reigning premier Hahndorf at Pine Avenue. The home side batted first and compiled a below par score of 9/130 from their 45 overs. Graydon Brand (22) was the only Magpies batsman to pass 20. All six Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Chad Rothe particularly miserly taking 2/7 from a tight eight-over spell. Darcy Paech continued his consistent season with 2/23 (7) while Daniel Cleggett snared 2/33 (9). Brodie O’Dea was the mainstay of the Tigers response, scoring 76 not out from 103 balls (14 x 4’s) as the target was knocked off in the 31st over for the loss of just two wickets. It was O’Dea’s third half century for the Tigers since joining the club last season and he has also made a century for the Creeks (121 not out v Woodside last season) in just 13 innings. Shaun Tait continued his good season with the ball to snare 2/19 (9). Tait now has eight wickets from three games this season.

Wistow had the bye.

Ladder (after round 4)

Langhorne Creek 16, Lobethal 12, Woodside 8, Strathalbyn 8, Hahndorf 4, Nairne 4, Bremer/Callington 4, Mount Barker 4, Wistow 0.

Round 5 fixtures (home teams named first)

Strathalbyn v Woodside

Hahndorf v Lobethal

Langhorne Creek v Wistow

Nairne v Mount Barker

Bremer/Callington has the bye