Langhorne Creek moved up to second position on the ladder and has one hand on the double chance after round 16 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The ‘Creeks’ traveled to Callington to take on Bremer/Callington and the visitors won the toss and decided to bat first. It was tough going with the Tigers battling their way to 2/55 (23) at drinks with Ben Warren (28) and Brodie O’Dea (27) fighting hard. Handy contributions from Jaspa Tonkin (26 from 35 balls) and Troy Blackwell (26 from 21 balls) lifted Langhorne Creek to a competitive total of 8/161. Graydon Brand (3/28) and Amit Maina (3/30) were the leading lights with the ball for the Cobras. Ajay Pundir opened up well for Bremer/Callington with 43 from 69 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Jai McMurtrie (23) and Chris Schilling (18) made handy contributions as the home side got themselves to 4/96. It was all Langhorne Creek from that moment on as they took the last six Cobras wickets for just 23 runs as the home side were dismissed in the 42nd over for 119. All seven Tigers bowlers took wickets with Warren (2/13), Darcy Paech (2/17) and Blackwell (2/27) the leading wicket takers. 

Lobethal kept themselves a game clear of fifth place with two rounds to go after their comprehensive eight-wicket victory at home against local rival Woodside. The Warriors batted first and struggled all innings before being bowled out for just 59 in the 38th over. Shane Collins (14) and Will Dunstall (13) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Lobethal’s bowling was miserly as always with Mitch Weeks (3/12), Dave Huxter (3/12), Matt Martin (2/10) and Dillon King (1/9) sharing the wickets. The Tigers didn’t muck around in the run chase as the target was knocked off inside 12 overs. Martin top scored with 23 not out (26 balls), while Weeks made 17 (12 balls). Harrison Reid (1/11) and Jeremy Druwitt (1/16) were the wicket takers for Woodside. 

Strathalbyn kept pace with the top-four thanks to a comfortable 50-run win at Hahndorf on Saturday. The Stallions batted first and posted a competitive total of 6/205. The star of the show was former skipper Mark Abbott who top scored with 103 from 127 balls (9 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). It was Abbott’s eighth ‘A’ grade century. Veteran Steve Schofield made 46 from 72 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) and was involved in an 84-run stand for the third wicket with Abbott. Brayden Hopgood (2/23) and Ryan Trafford-Walker (2/39) were the leading wicket takers for the Magpies. Hahndorf were soon under pressure as they slumped to 5/36 with ‘Strath’ skipper Brayden Gaiter doing most of the damage with figures of 4/34 (9). Henry Hassold (41) and Tim Knappstein (39 not out) battled hard as Hahndorf eventually batted out their 45 overs to finish on 9/155. Ben Cousins (1/15), Mark Abbott (1/18), Matthew Harris (1/34) and Matt Abbott (1/35) were the Stallions’ other wicket takers. 

Reigning premier Nairne won their 14th game of the season with a convincing 98-run win at Macclesfield. The Razorbacks batted first and saw handy contributions from Luke Timmins (34), Luke Harrowfield (33), Shane Kenney (25) and Mitch Hein (22) get them to 9/181 from their 45 overs. Lachlan Barrett (2/18), Luke Jones (2/22), Jay Dawson (2/25) and Connor Moore (2/42) led the way with the ball for the Redbacks. ‘Maccy’ were never in the hunt in the run chase as they were bowled out in the 29th over for 83. Barrett completed a good all-round game as he top scored with 35 for the Redbacks. Jarrad Tait rolled back the clock to take 5/23, his 11th five-wicket haul for the Razorbacks. He was well supported by Brodie Clarke (2/7) and Mitch Hein (2/23). This trio has been dominant with the ball this season with 83 wickets between them.

Ladder (after round 16)

Nairne 56, Langhorne Creek 44, Woodside 40, Lobethal 40, Strathalbyn 36, Hahndorf 16, Macclesfield 12, Bremer/Callington 12.

Round 17 fixture (home team named first)

Macclesfield v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Bremer/Callington

Woodside v Nairne

Langhorne Creek v Strathalbyn