Woodside moved back inside the top four following a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Hahndorf at Woodside Oval in round 12 action of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The Warriors sent the Magpies in and it paid dividends as Hahndorf were bowled out for just 102 in the 41st over. Only skipper Kris Dawe (23) and Lachlan Huxtable (22) passed 20 for the visitors. All six Woodside bowlers took wickets with Chris Baschiera (3/25), Shane Collins (2/0) and Dale Robinson (2/25) the chief destroyers. Woodside were relatively untroubled in chasing down the target in the 25th over with Dave Wescombe (43) and Matthew Johnston (29 not out) leading the way with the bat.

Nairne kept their finals hopes alive with a crushing nine-wicket win over a disappointing Bremer-Callington outfit on the turf at Callington. The home side won the toss and elected to bat but that was where the good news ended for the Cobras as they collapsed to 7/27 before being bowled out for a paltry 57 in the 25th over. Extras (16) was the top score with only Samuel Kropp (15) and Daniel Lowe (11) reaching double figures with the bat for the Cobras. Mitch Hein destroyed the Bremer-Callington top order with the amazing figures of 5/7, his fifth five-wicket haul for the Razorbacks. Nairne wasted no time in knocking off the small target, reaching their goal in the 13th over with Richard Boscence top scoring with 29 not out.

Strathalbyn consolidated top spot on the AEHCA ladder with a tough 21-run win at Mount Barker. The Stallions were in early trouble as they slumped to 5/53 with only skipper Mark Abbott (24) putting up any real resistance in the top order. Teenager Matthew Roberts joined veteran Steve Schofield and this pair set about getting their team back in the contest with a 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Schofield was dismissed for 33. Roberts continued on to register his maiden ‘A’ grade half century as he finished on 51 not out with the visitors reaching a competitive total of 8/179 from their 45 overs. Hayden Lane collected his best ‘A’ grade figures as he snared 4/27 from his nine overs. The Kookaburras started their run chase well with Jarrad Dunbar (34) and Simon Turk (18) helping the home side into a strong position at 2/80 before a mini collapse of 5/26 left the ‘Burras in strife at 7/106. Veteran Wayne Buickland was joined by Ishan Razik (11) and they added 42 for the eighth wicket but Mount Barker came up short, finishing on 9/158 after 45 overs. Buckland top scored for the home side with 40 not out (54 balls). Ben Cousins took his best figures for the season with 4/33 (9) while Brayden Gaiter (2/36) and Danny Horan (2/48) continued their good seasons for the Stallions.

A maiden ‘A’ grade century for Langhorne Creek opening batsman Nathan Wundersitz has led his side to a comprehensive 132-run win over bottom side Wistow at Wistow Oval. Wundersitz was dismissed off the final ball of the innings for 109 from 136 balls (10 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). After slipping to a precarious 3/57 at one stage, the Tigers innings was rescued by Wundersitz and Ben McLeod (38) as they added 101 for the fourth wicket. A 53-run union between Wundersitz and Daniel Kropp (23) for the seventh wicket lifted the reigning premier to 9/232 at the end of their 45 overs. Steven Nettle (3/21), Sam Smith (3/58) and young gun Harry Burgess (2/32) toiled manfully for the Echidnas. Wistow started their run chase well as they reached 1/71 through solid contributions from David Kinlough (25), Dan Jenner (24) and Dan Hughes (19) but a collapse of 9/29 saw the home side dismissed in the 30th over for just 100. McLeod turned destroyer with the ball for the Tigers as he snared career best figures of 6/13 from seven overs while Mathew Cannizzaro took 3/29 (9).

The competition takes a break over the Australia Day long weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition to be hosted by the Murray Towns Cricket Association. 

Round 13 (1/2/20) fixtures (home sides named first)…..

Wistow v Hahndorf

Bremer-Callington v Woodside

Lobethal v Strathalbyn

Nairne v Langhorne Creek

Mount Barker has the bye