Bremer Callington won their first game of the year with an upset one-wicket win against the previously undefeated Langhorne Creek during round eight action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Callington on Saturday. The Cobras sent the visitors into bat and it was hard going as Langhorne Creek were bowled out for 112. Kensington regular Adam Clements top scored for the Tigers with 26 (49 balls). Shannon Howie (3/14), Johnny Fitzgerald (2/6) and Nathan Fitzgerald (2/42) were the leading wicket takers for Bremer Callington. The Cobras were soon in trouble in the run chase as they slipped to 4/34 before Howie (13) and Nathan Fitzgerald (13) made handy contributions in partnership with Graydon Brand. Brand would turn out to be the hero as he scored 45 not out (110 balls) to get his side over the line with one wicket and 21 balls to spare. Clements (4/35) and Ben Warren (2/10) were the pick of the Langhorne Creek bowlers. 

Lobethal went to the top of the AEHCA ladder following a high-scoring 30-run win at Nairne. Lobethal batted first with Mitch Weeks and Daniel Norsworthy putting on 140 for the first wicket before Weeks went for 69 from 61 balls (11 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Norsworthy continued on to make 58 from 84 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Ben Matthews (41 not out) and Sam Graeber (26) added 56 runs for the sixth wicket with the Tigers posting 8/257 from their 45 overs. Duncan Rogers was the standout bowler for the Razorbacks with 5/37 (8). Nairne gave a good account of themselves in the run chase with Luke Timmins (59), Chris Farrell (46) and Chad Harrop (30 not out) leading the way but ultimately they came up short, bowled out in the 39th over for 227. Graeber (3/14), Jeremy Hackett (2/33), Weeks (2/40) and Dave Huxter (2/53) were the wicket takers for Lobethal.

Macclesfield won their fourth game of the season after a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Hahndorf. The Magpies were bowled out for just 63 in the 22nd over with Hudson Judd (13) the only batsman to reach double figures. All five Redbacks bowlers took wickets with Kieran O’Connell (4/21), Joseph Lions (2/7) and Connor Moore (2/26) the main destroyers. Macclesfield made light work of the run chase, bringing up the winning runs in just the 14th over without losing a wicket. David Schulze (29 not out) and Tom Filsell (19 not out) were the batsmen for ‘Maccy’ who enjoyed the early finish as they moved back inside the top-four on the ladder. 

Strathalbyn won their fourth game on the trot to keep the pressure on for a top-two spot after defeating Woodside by eight wickets at ‘Strath’. The Stallions won the toss and had no hesitation in bowling first. It was a good move as the Warriors batsmen struggled to convert promising starts with Chris Baschiera (20) the only player to reach 20 runs. Matthew Harris (4/10), Kane Gaiter (3/37) and Jack Roberts (2/21) were the chief destroyers as the visitors were bowled out for 104. Strathalbyn made reasonably light work of the run chase with Luke Cousins (47 from 74) and Mark Abbott (39 not out from 90) leading the way with the winning runs coming up in the 30th over. Sam Bradford (1/24) and Harrison Reid (1/40) were the wicket takers for Woodside. 

Ladder (after round 8)

Lobethal 28, Langhorne Creek 28, Strathalbyn 24, Macclesfield 16, Nairne 16, Woodside 8, Hahndorf 4, Bremer Callington 4.

Round 9 fixtures (home teams named first)  

Lobethal v Hahndorf

Macclesfield v Bremer Callington

Strathalbyn v Nairne

Woodside v Langhorne Creek