Bremer/Callington caused a major upset after defeating reigning premier Lobethal by 47 runs in a low-scoring affair at Callington during round five action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) on Saturday. The Cobras notched their second victory of the season on the back of a fantastic spell of bowling from Nathan Fitzgerald who snared 5/12 (9), to bowl Lobethal out for just 93. He was well supported by Dhanushka Abeynayake who snared 3/37 (9). Sam Martin (32) was the only Lobethal batsman to pass 20 runs in a disappointing display. Earlier, after being sent into bat, the Cobras were in all sorts of trouble at 6/56, before skipper Shannon Howie and vice-captain Nathan Fitzgerald (17) came together. This pair added a valuable 56 runs for the seventh wicket before Howie departed for 51 (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Brad Clements made a hard-hitting 24 (1 x 4, 2 x 6’s) as Bremer/Callington were bowled out for 150 in the 45th over.

Woodside won their second game of the season with a four-wicket win against Hahndorf at Woodside Oval. The Magpies batted first and posted a competitive total of 4/200 from their 45 overs. The total was set up by an excellent 116 not out from 155 balls (11 x 4’s, 1 x 6) by Daniel Jenner. Jenner has been an excellent pick-up for Hahndorf this season with 341 runs at an average of 85.25 after five games. He was well supported by Lachlan Huxtable (43) in a 127-run second wicket stand. Dale Robinson with 2/32 (9) was the leading wicket taker for the Warriors. Woodside had several good partnerships in the run chase with Matt Johnston (31) and Brad Collins (26) adding 59 for the second wicket. The dismissal of Collins brought Sam Pullen to the crease and he got on with the job straight away. Pullen smacked 53 from 31 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) and he was helped by another quickfire innings from Noah Bell (40 not out from 25 balls), as the winning runs came up with 13 balls to spare. Ryan Trafford-Walker snared 3/29 for the Magpies, with Jenner completing a fine all-round game with figures of 2/28. 

Nairne won their third game for the season with a four-wicket victory against Macclesfield with the win lifting the Razorbacks into the top-four. Macclesfield batted first and posted 6/152 from their 45 overs with Tom Filsell (38) and Josh Lewis-Burns (36) combining for an opening stand worth 71 runs. Connor Moore (20 not out) was the next best with the bat for the Redbacks. Chad Harrop was the standout bowler for Nairne with 3/17 from his nine-over spell. Nairne were in early trouble in response as they slipped to 3/30 with Connor Moore taking 2/29 for ‘Maccy’. Former skipper Luke Timmins (33) and vice-captain Mitch Hein (51) combined for an 80-run fourth wicket partnership which steadied the Razorbacks innings, as they passed the target with four wickets in hand in the 39th over.

Langhorne Creek continued their undefeated start to the 2022/23 season with an eight-wicket victory over local rival Strathalbyn. ‘Strath’ won the toss and batted first with Luke Cousins and Mark Abbott putting on 45 runs for the second wicket before Abbott went for 29 (77 balls). Cousins continued on to top score with 45 from 65 balls. The innings never gained any real momentum until Matt Abbott (31 not out) and Matt Roberts (21 not out) combined for an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand worth 51 runs, with the Stallions finishing on 5/155 from their 45 overs. Adam Clements (2/23) and Dan Cleggett (2/23) were the pick of the Tigers bowlers. After losing the dangerous Brodie O’Dea early in the innings, Langhorne Creek got an important partnership between the ever consistent Daniel Kropp and James Dawson worth 50 runs for the second wicket before Kropp went for 37 (45 balls). Dawson was joined by Ben Warren and this pair could not be separated as they added 85 runs for the third wicket and brought up victory in the 40th over. Dawson finished with 65 not out (127 balls), while Warren made 42 not out (51 balls). Roberts (1/24) and Brayden Gaiter (1/37) were the wicket takers for Strathalbyn.

Ladder - after round 5

Langhorne Creek 20, Strathalbyn 12, Lobethal 12, Nairne 12, Macclesfield 8, Bremer/Callington 8, Woodside 8, Hahndorf 0. 

Round 6 fixtures - home team named first

Hahndorf v Strathalbyn

Macclesfield v Lobethal

Nairne v Bremer/Callington

Woodside v Langhorne Creek