Bremer Callington won their first game of the 2024/25 Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season after a 27-run win against Woodside in a low-scoring battle at Callington. The Cobras batted first and it was hard work as they battled their way to a total of 103 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Jai McMurtrie (32) and Graydon Brand (24) were the mainstays of the innings. Dale Robinson was the star with the ball for the Warriors with figures of 5/19 (8.5), while Callum Hemer took 2/33 (8). Woodside made a reasonable start to the run chase as they reached 0/23 before a collapse of 10/53 saw them bowled out for 76. Chris Bashiera (20), Trent Young (16) and Dave Wescombe (12) were the only Warriors batsmen to reach double figures. Johnny Fitzgerald was the standout bowler for the Cobras with 5/23 (9) and he was well supported by McMurtrie (2/10) and Nathan Fitzgerald (2/18).

Reigning premier Lobethal also won their first game of the season after a comfortable seven-wicket win over Langhorne Creek in the grand final rematch at Lobethal. The visitors batted first and were in all sorts of trouble at 6/37 before skipper Adam Clements and Shane Bown (19) put on 69 runs for the seventh wicket. Clements went on to a fine half-century before being dismissed for 67 (64 balls). Six Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Matt Martin (2/10), Dave Huxter (2/10), Sam Martin (2/11) and Sam Graeber (2/17) leading the way. Lobethal were relatively untroubled in the run chase as Graeber (40 not out), Riley Harten (35) and Sam Martin (22) helped get their side across the line in the 29th over.

Hahndorf stayed undefeated and on top of the AEHCA ladder following a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Strathalbyn. ‘Strath’ batted first and their innings was dominated by Luke Cousins (51 off 85) and Riley Tonkin (46 off 48), but no other Stallions batsmen chipped in as they were bowled out for 156 in the 41st over. Mitch Bannister (4/26) and Paul Allegretto (3/23) were the leading wicket takers for the Magpies. Dan Jenner and Allegretto opened the batting for Hahndorf and put on 142 for the first wicket with Allegretto top scoring with 86 from 77 balls, while Jenner finished on 52 not out (103 balls). Matt Harris (1/34) was the sole wicket taker for Strathalbyn.

Nairne are also undefeated through two rounds as they had a nine-wicket win at Macclesfield. The Redbacks batted first and posted 7/155 from their 45 overs. Connor Moore (27), Konan Breed (26) and Josh Lewis-Burns (23) were the leading run scorers for ‘Maccy’. Brodie Clarke (2/25) and Caleb Walker (2/34) were the multiple wicket takers for the Razorbacks. Nairne wasted no time in bringing up the win in the 25th over thanks to an unbeaten 112-run stand between Richard Boscence (67 not out) and Luke Timmins (54 not out). Moore (1/26) was the only wicket taker for the Redbacks.

Ladder (after round 2)

Hahndorf 8, Nairne 8, Langhorne Creek 4, Strathalbyn 4, Lobethal 4, Bremer Callington 4, Woodside 0, Macclesfield 0.

Round 3 fixtures (home team named first)  

Nairne v Hahndorf

Macclesfield v Woodside

Lobethal v Bremer Callington

Langhorne Creek v Strathalbyn