Langhorne Creek kept their minor premiership hopes alive after defeating Nairne by 88 runs during round 17 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The home side batted first with Brodie O’Dea top scoring with 54 from 62 balls (8 x 4’s), and he was well supported by Adam Clements (45) and Brayden Frost (27) as the Tigers posted a total of 156 before being bowled out in the 39th over. William Brooks was the star with the ball for Nairne with career-best figures of 5/9 (4.2), while Chad Harrop snared 2/36 (9). The Razorbacks were never in the run chase as they were dismissed for just 68 with Zac Llewellyn top scoring with 22 (29 balls). Langhorne Creek skipper Adam Clements completed a good all-round game with 4/20 from eight overs, while Troy Blackwell took 3/26.

Woodside won their 11th game of the season with a comfortable 122-run win at home against Bremer Callington. The Warriors batted first and compiled an imposing 9/262 from their 45 overs. There were plenty of contributors with Dave Wescombe (58), Craig Medlow (40), Aaron Galvin (28) and Tommy Baldock (28) the leading lights. Six Cobras bowlers took wickets with Nathan Fitzgerald (2/45), Daniel Rickman (2/45) and Ryder Dolman (2/52) the leading wicket takers. Bremer Callington were in all sorts of trouble early in the run chase as they slipped to 3/7 before Alex Durbidge steadied the ship somewhat with 28 from 30 balls (1 x 4, 3 x 6’s). Johnny Fitzgerald (39) and Michael Heath (38) added 82 runs for the seventh wicket before the Cobras were eventually bowled out for 140. Galvin completed a good all-round double with 3/25 (6.2), while Liam Moore (3/40) and Nick Johns (2/14) were the other multiple wicket takers. 

Strathalbyn won their sixth game of the season with an upset 12-run victory over a depleted Lobethal. Strathalbyn batted first and were in early trouble at 2/18 before Ashley Medhurst (43) and Matt Harris (19) added 57 runs for the third wicket. Jake Beerenfels (38) and Brayden Gaiter (20) then helped lift the Stallions to 166. Will Strange (3/37) was the leading wicket taker for Lobethal, while there were an amazing five run outs! Lobethal were also in strife early in the run chase at 2/11, before Scott Higgins (42) and Sam Martin (37) put the Tigers in a winning position at 5/115. However, ‘Strath’ hit back, taking the last 5/39, to bowl Lobethal out for 154. Harris took 3/27 (9), while Tyler Smith (2/18) and Gaiter (2/24) chipped in with a couple of wickets each. 

Hahndorf are still a chance at a top-two finish after a comprehensive 155-run win at Macclesfield. Hahndorf batted first with their innings underpinned by a 152-run fourth wicket stand between Ben Montgomerie (79) and Ben Salt (70) as the Magpies posted 5/281 from their 45 overs. Paul Allegretto (46) and Dan Jenner (27) also made handy contributions, while Harrison Farrelly (2/22) was the leading wicket taker for the Redbacks. Macclesfield got off to a good start in the run chase through Connor Moore (31), Konan Breed (28) and Rowan Voogt (24), before the Hahndorf bowlers took over to bowl the Redbacks out for 126. Curtis Montgomery was the star with the ball for the Magpies with 5/25 (7.4), while Ryan Trafford-Walker took 3/50. 

Ladder (after round 17)

Lobethal 52, Langhorne Creek 52, Hahndorf 48, Woodside 44, Nairne 32, Strathalbyn 26, Bremer Callington 14, Macclesfield 4.

Round 18 fixtures (8/3/25)

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal

Strathalbyn v Nairne

Macclesfield v Woodside

Hahndorf v Bremer Callington