Bremer/Callington won their first game of the 2021/22 Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season on Saturday with a breakthrough 54-run win over the previously undefeated Hahndorf. The Cobras win means all eight teams in the competition have won at least one game, and just one win separates top from bottom on the ladder. Bremer/Callington won the toss and decided to bat first on the ‘top’ oval at Callington. It was an excellent batting performance from the Cobras as they put together four partnerships worth more than 30 runs to compile 7/221 from their 45 overs. Alex Durbidge was the standout with a fine 68 from 81 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Skipper Jai McMurtrie made a handy 37 from 51 balls and there were useful contributions from Sandeep Huda (22 from 21 balls) and Brad Clements (19 not out from 12 balls). Henry Hassold (3/15) and Charlie Fielke (2/30) were the multiple wicket takers for Hahndorf. The Hahndorf run chase got off to a poor start as the Magpies slumped to 4/34. Benny Montgomerie continued his fine season with a hard-hitting 67 from 54 balls (6 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Montgomerie now has 153 runs at an average of 51.00 this season. Michael Shanahan chimed in with 38 (6 x 4’s), but no other Magpies batsman could get past 15 as they were dismissed for 167 in the 39th over. Six Cobras bowlers took wickets with opening bowler Nathan Fitzgerald (4/35) the standout.

Woodside made the trip south to take on Langhorne Creek and the Warriors came away with a four-wicket victory and in the process, took top spot on the AEHCA ladder. The Creeks won the toss and decided to bat first and they were soon on the back foot as they crumbled to 4/21. Brayden Frost (29) and new recruit James Dawson (10), were the only Tigers to reach double figures as the home side was rolled for just 64 in the 22nd over. Woodside shared the wickets around with Tyson Reichstein (2/2), Dave Wescombe (2/5), Steve Ball (2/10) and Nick Johns jnr (2/15) leading the way. Will Dunstall (31) and Tommy Baldock (19) took the Warriors within sight of victory before they lost 4/5 but they still got across the line in the 12th over. Tom Whittlesea (3/13), Jens Christensen (2/23) and Dawson (1/9) were the wicket takers for Langhorne Creek.

Reigning premier Nairne won their second game of the season with a five-wicket win at home against Strathalbyn. The Stallions won the toss and decided to bat first and it was a real struggle against a tight Razorbacks attack as the visitors posted 8/137 from their 45 overs. 137 was a lot better than may have been expected as Strathalbyn slumped to 5/45. Former skipper Mark Abbott was hanging tough as he ground out 45 from 113 balls and he formed an excellent 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Ben Cousins, who top scored with 47 from 74 balls. The Hein brothers were the chief destroyers for Nairne with Mitch taking 3/24 (9) and Matt 3/36 (8). Jarrad Tait bowled a miserly spell of 0/5 from nine overs with his spell including six maidens. The Razorbacks started their run chase slowly and at 3/35, Strathalbyn were in with a chance. Robert Crook (32) and Mitch Hein (27) made solid contributions but when they were both dismissed, Nairne had slipped to 5/95 and the Stallions were once again back in with a sniff of victory. The always aggressive Shane Kenney (25 not out) and Brodie Clarke (19 not out) made sure of the victory for Nairne with an unbroken 44-run stand for the sixth wicket as the runs were knocked off with 26 balls spare. Strathalbyn skipper Brayden Gaiter was the only Stallions bowler to take multiple wickets as he finished with figures of 2/35 (7.4). 

The closest game of the round took place at Macclesfield as Lobethal defeated the home side by just seven runs in an excellent encounter. Lobethal batted first and were in early trouble as they slipped to 3/34 before handy innings from Matt Martin (34). Ben Matthews (33), Sam Graeber (32) and Sam Martin (28) lifted the Tigers to 7/195 from their 45 overs. Connor Moore was the best of the Macclesfield bowlers with figures of 2/21 from nine overs (five maidens). The Redbacks response was underpinned by opening batsman Kieran O’Connell who made 62 at the top of the order. A number of Macclesfield batsmen made starts, including Moore (22) and Lachlan Barrett (22) but ultimately, ‘Maccy’ came up short in the 44th over as they were bowled out for 188. Six Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Mitch Weeks (2/22) and Matt Martin (2/36) leading the way.

Round 4 fixture (home team named first)

Hahndorf v Langhorne Creek

Strathalbyn v Macclesfield

Lobethal v Nairne

Woodside v Bremer/Callington

Ladder (after round 3)

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