Dave Wescombe has led Woodside to a massive 163-run victory over Wistow at Woodside Oval during round 11 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). Wescombe smashed 132 from just 78 balls (15 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s) as the Warriors amassed 4/324 from their 45 overs. In the process, Wescombe became the first Woodside player to register 10,000 senior runs. He has won 10 ‘A’ grade batting trophies, four ‘A’ grade bowling trophies, 12 Woodside ‘Cricketer of the Year’ awards and is an ‘A’ grade premiership player. Brad Collins (82 not out from 59 balls) and Will Worthington (56 from 83 balls) added to the pain for Wistow. The visitors were never in the hunt to chase down the massive total as they batted out their overs to finish on 7/161. Charlie McDonough (2/17) and Jeremy Druwitt (2/40) were the chief wicket takers for Woodside.

Strathalbyn consolidated top spot on the AEHCA ladder with a convincing six-wicket victory over Bremer-Callington at Strathalbyn Oval. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first but were in early trouble at 3/35. Dave Westrych (29) steadied the ship for the Cobras before skipper Johnny Fitzgerald (71) and Nathan Fitzgerald (30) came together to put on 86 runs for the fifth wicket to lift Bremer-Callington to a good position at 4/147. Unfortunately once these two were dismissed, the Cobras fell away badly to lose their last 6/23 to be bowled out in the 44th over for 170. Matt Abbott (3/16) was the standout bowler for the Stallions. Abbott has now taken 19 wickets at the frugal average of just 9.26 this season. Strathalbyn started their run chase well with ‘keeper-batsman Luke Cousins (35) and Nathan Pelle adding 49 for the first wicket before skipper Mark Abbott (29) and Pelle put on 86 for the second wicket to put the home side in sight of victory. Pelle (75 not out from 93 balls) continued on to register his first half century of the season as he saw his side to victory in the 36th over. Bremer-Callington’s Nathan Fitzgerald continued a good day for the brothers as he snared 2/35 from eight overs.

Lobethal leap-frogged reigning premier Langhorne Creek into third spot after a sixth consecutive victory, this time by six wickets at Langhorne Creek. Lobethal sent the home side in to bat and it proved to be a masterstroke as the Creeks fell to a disastrous position at 6/35. Troy Blackwell (34 not out) tried to put some respectability back into the Tigers total as they were bowled out for just 97 in the 31st over. Matt Martin continued his good season with the ball as he took 3/22 from his nine overs. Martin now has 16 wickets in 2019/20. James Elliott (2/15) and Mitch Weeks (2/19) provided solid support to Martin. The run chase began badly for Lobethal with skipper Ben Matthews removed first ball but Weeks (45), Daniel Norsworthy (26) and Lachlan Bates (17 not out) steadied the ship as the ‘Northern Tigers’ cruised home in the 21st over. Blackwell continued his good day with 3/21 for Langhorne Creek.

Hahndorf consolidated second spot with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Mount Barker at Hahndorf Oval. The visitors batted first but could only muster a score of 110 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Only Simon Turk (23) and Deklan Porter (23) passed 20 for the Kookaburras. All six Magpies bowlers got amongst the wickets with Michael Shanahan taking 4/16, his best ‘A’ grade figures. It was a very comfortable run chase for Hahndorf as the runs were knocked off in the 20th over with Greg Hassold (40 not out) and Graydon Brand (35 not out) leading the way.

Round 12 (18/1/20) fixtures (home sides named first)…..

Woodside v Hahndorf

Mount Barker v Strathalbyn

Wistow v Langhorne Creek

Bremer-Callington v Nairne

Lobethal has the bye