Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) won their second Meyer Shield title in a row today, after defeating Hills Cricket Association (HCA) by four wickets at Encounter Bay. It is the fifth Meyer Shield title for AEHCA overall, and the first time they have gone ‘back-to-back’. 

Hills batted first and were soon in deep trouble as they slumped to 5/18 with AEHCA opening bowler Nathan Fitzgerald tearing through the top order. Fitzgerald finished with the excellent figures of 4/27 from his 10 overs. Hills skipper Jake Turnbull was playing a lone hand for his side, before he was joined by Alex Heptinstall in a 31-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Turnbull was finally dismissed for 32 (88 balls), while Heptinstall departed in the final over for 31 (68 balls) with Hills dismissed for just 114. Brodie Clarke also bowled an excellent spell with 3/16 (10), while Mitch Weeks (2/16) and Matt Martin (1/16) were the other wicket takers for AEHCA. 

Alexandra & Eastern Hills got off to a shaky start in their run chase with both openers back in the shed with the score at 2/11. Matthew Harris (13) and Robert Crook then steadied the ship with a 30-run stand for the third wicket. Steven Huxter (8) joined Crook to add a further 35 runs for the fourth wicket as the reigning champions took control of the match. Hills took three more wickets before the winning runs came up in the 37th over. Crook went on to top score with 50 from 77 balls (6 x 4’s), the only half-century of the match. Adam Carthew (3/18) and Shaun Atkins (3/33) were the wicket takers for Hills. 

Alexandra & Eastern Hills will be the early favourites for the 2024 Meyer Shield as they will host the competition next January.