Langhorne Creek travelled the short distance up the road to Strathalbyn on Saturday and came away with an important 27-run win during round 10 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The win sees the Tigers inside the top-four at the Christmas break, while their local rival Strathalbyn are now in fifth position. The ‘Creeks’ batted first and made their way to a competitive total of 9/179 from their 45 overs. Daniel Kropp (34) and Daniel Cleggett (31) were the only top order batsmen to fire for Langhorne Creek as the visitors slipped to 8/129. The tail wagged for the ‘Creeks’ with Troy Blackwell (27 not out), Jens Christensen (23) and Dale Chandler (22) playing important knocks. Mark Abbott (2/15), Matt Abbott (2/30) and Ben Cousins (2/30) were the pick of the bowlers for the Stallions. Strathalbyn were in early trouble at 2/19 before Mark Abbott (28) and Luke Cousins (21) came together to add 44 runs for the third wicket to get the innings back on track. Five quick wickets fell after that pair departed as the home side were left reeling at 7/96. Teenagers Riley Brook (23) and Tyson Roberts (33) took the game on and added 44 runs for the eighth wicket and it seemed the Stallions were back on track for an unlikely victory. Langhorne Creek had other ideas as they wrapped up the last three wickets for just 12 runs to see ‘Strath’ all out in the 43rd over for 152. Darcy Paech was the pick of the Tigers’ bowlers with 4/19 from 7.4 overs, while Cleggett chimed in with 2/20 in a very important win for the Tigers. 

Hahndorf defeated Macclesfield by 109 runs to keep in touch with the top-four with eight rounds to go. The Magpies won the toss and decided to bat first on their home deck and they put together a competitive total of 4/193 from their 45 overs. The innings was dominated by a fine innings of 73 not out from Benny Montgomerie. Montgomerie’s innings contained six boundaries and three ‘maximums’. He was well supported by veteran Ben Judd (32), Henry Baker (25) and Lachlan Huxtable (23). Brad Noske (1/24), Kieran O’Connell (1/30) and Luke Jones (1/30) were the pick of the Redbacks’ bowlers. Macclesfield were never in the hunt in the run chase as they were bowled out for just 84 in the 27th over. No ‘Maccy’ batsman reached 20 with Ben Slack (19) top scoring. Veteran left-arm seamer Michael Harden (4/15), Huxtable (3/4) and Hayden Knappstein (2/34) were the chief destroyers for Hahndorf.

Reigning premier Nairne won their ninth game on the trot and have moved three games clear on top of the AEHCA ladder following their hard-fought 22-run win over Woodside at Summit Sport & Recreation Park at Mount Barker. The Razorbacks won the toss and decided to bat first and it was tough going throughout as they posted 8/149 from their 45 overs. Shane Kenney continued his recent good with a top-scoring 38 (39 balls) and he was well supported by Jarrad Tait (23) and Robert Crook (23). Jeremy Druwitt (2/23), Harrison Reid (2/28) and Nick Johns jnr (2/35) were the multiple wicket takers for the Warriors. Woodside’s run chase didn’t start well as they slipped to 3/29 with the inform Mitch Hein dismissing the top three batsmen on his way to 3/17 (9). Hein is on track for a career-best season with 24 wickets at 8.25 with eight games still to play in 2021/22! Sam Pullen (37) and Brad Collins (22) tried to rescue the innings but it was to no avail as the Warriors were bowled out for 127. It was another strong performance from the Razorbacks’ bowlers with Chad Harrop (2/23), Jacob Sadler (2/27), Brodie Clarke (2/29) and Tait (1/25) joining Hein on the wicket takers list. 

Lobethal made their way back inside the top-four at the Christmas break following their comfortable six-wicket win at home against Bremer/Callington. The visitors batted first and compiled 8/144 from their 45 overs with Amit Maina (36), Johnny Fitzgerald (26) and Brad Clements (20) leading the way for the Cobras. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Jeremy Hackett snaring 2/28 (9). Lobethal were relatively untroubled in the run chase with the East Torrens pair of Ryan King and Hackett starring for the Tigers. While their grade cricket side was having the bye, the former Lobethal juniors combined for a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket with King making 53 (49 balls) and Hackett 23 not out (25 balls) as the winning runs came up in just the 25th over. Nathan Fitzgerald with 2/28 (6) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Cobras.

Ladder (after round 10)

Nairne 36, Woodside 24, Langhorne Creek 24, Lobethal 24, Strathalbyn 20, Hahndorf 16, Bremer/Callington 8, Macclesfield 8.

Round 11 fixture* (home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Nairne

Macclesfield v Bremer/Callington

Lobethal v Hahndorf

Woodside v Strathalbyn

*Saturday 8 January 2022