Langhorne Creek consolidated second position on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder after a hard-fought two-wicket win against Hahndorf during round 14 action at Hahndorf yesterday. The Magpies batted first with Sam Williams the only batsman in the top-six to make an impression with 25 from 44 balls. Dean Gore (38) and Michael Shanahan (14 not out) put on 34 runs for the 10th wicket as Hahndorf were bowled out for 130 in the 38th over. Brad Clements (3/27), Daniel Kropp (3/34) and James Dawson (2/27) were the leading wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. The visitors looked in control during the run chase as they made their way to 1/43 with Kropp (21) and Dawson (20) the top scorers. Hahndorf fought back to reduce the Tigers to 8/106 and a huge upset was on the cards. Matt Tonkin (13 not out) and Caleb Howell (10 not out) steadied the innings and brought up the winning runs in the 35th over. Ryan Trafford-Walker (3/39) and Gore (2/17) led the way with the ball for Magpies.

Strathalbyn has basically sewn up a finals berth with a  comprehensive 118-run win against Bremer Callington at Callington yesterday. The Stallions batted first and posted 8/166 from their 45 overs. Skipper Brayden Gaiter (32), Mark Abbott (31) and Luke Cousins (24) were the leading run scorers for Strathalbyn. Jai McMurtrie (3/18) and Nathan Fitzgerald (2/32) were the multiple wicket takers for the Cobras. Strathalbyn were ruthless with the ball with Brayden Gaiter snaring 5/7 (7 overs) and Matt Harris taking 4/14 (8.5) as the Cobras were rolled for just 48. Nathan Fitzgerald (16) top scored for Bremer Callington.

Reigning premier Lobethal are a step closer to the minor premiership after a comfortable 107-run win at Macclesfield. The Tigers batted first with Ben Matthews (42), Sam Martin (23) and Mitch Weeks (20) making handy contributions, but at 5/95 it looked like a sub-par score was on the cards. The Lobethal lower order rallied with Steve Huxter (18), Riley Harten (21), Lachlan Elsworthy (33 not out) and Sam Graeber (36) helping their side to a total of 245. Macclesfield were never in the run chase as they were bowled out for 138 in the 35th over. Lobethal skipper Mitch Weeks used all 11 players at the bowling crease with Graeber (2/8) and Elsworthy (2/9) the multiple wicket takers. 

Nairne’s excellent form continued with a six-wicket victory against Woodside yesterday. The Warriors batted first and made 9/167 with skipper Brad Collins the mainstay of the innings with 73 from 98 balls (12 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Sam Bradford (28 from 24 balls) was the next highest scorer. Brodie Clarke bowled an excellent spell to finish with figures of 3/22 from nine overs. Caleb Walker (3/32) and Tom May (2/21). Shane Kenney came out firing for the Razorbacks in the run chase as he smashed 63 from just 30 balls (7 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s), but at 4/83 things were looking a bit shaky for Nairne. Skipper Robert Crook (50 not out) and Duncan Rogers (33 not out) came together to add 86 runs for the fifth wicket to see their side home in the 40th over. Tommy Baldock (2/34) was the leading wicket taker for Woodside. 

Ladder (after round 14)

Lobethal 50, Langhorne Creek 44, Nairne 38, Strathalbyn 34, Macclesfield 22, Woodside 20, Hahndorf 10, Bremer Callington 6.

Round 15 fixtures (home team named first)  

Strathalbyn v Woodside

Langhorne Creek v Bremer Callington

Lobethal v Nairne

Macclesfield v Hahndorf