Langhorne Creek are the only undefeated team left in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) competition after defeating reigning premier Lobethal by four wickets at Lobethal on Saturday. Lobethal skipper Mitch Weeks won the toss and decided to bat first as he and opening partner Ben Matthews (16) put on 59 runs for the first wicket. Weeks would go on to top score with 66 from 81 balls (5 x 4’s), while Sam Graeber (25), Daniel Norsworthy (20) and Will Zadow (19) made handy contributions with Lobethal reaching 191 before being bowled out in the 45th over. All six Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Daniel Cleggett (3/30), Troy Blackwell (2/34) and Darcy Paech (2/45) leading the way. Daniel Kropp (20) and Jaspa Tonkin got Langhorne Creek off to a good start with a 42-run opening stand, before Brayden Frost joined Tonkin for a vital partnership. This pair added an important 84 runs for the third wicket before Frost went for 46 (50 balls). Tonkin continued on to make 80 from 110 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the visitors got across the line in the 44th over. Graeber completed a good all-round game with figures of 3/22 (8), while ‘Lobey’ skipper Weeks took 2/37 from nine overs. 

Nairne won their second game in a row after a comfortable six-wicket win against Hahndorf at Pine Avenue. The Magpies batted first and were in big trouble early on at 3/28 as Ben Montgomerie (22) joined Lachlan Huxtable to add 57 runs for the fourth wicket, followed by Ryan Trafford-Walker (22) adding 40 for the fifth wicket with Huxtable. Huxtable went on to make a fine 72 from 124 balls (10 x 4’s) as Hahndorf reached 9/150 from their 45 overs. William Brooks (3/16) and Caleb Walker (2/31) were the multiple wicket takers for the Razorbacks. Nairne were in early trouble at 4/56 with Zac Llewellyn making a quickfire 24 from 25 balls (5 x 4’s). Chad Harrop joined former captain Luke Timmins and this pair made sure of the victory for Nairne with an undefeated 96-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Harrop ended up with 24 not out (52 balls), while Timmins made a fine 76 not out from 91 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 31st over. 

Woodside also won their second game in a row with a comprehensive eight-wicket win against Bremer Callington at Callington on Saturday. The Cobras batted first and struggled their way to 8/56 before the last two wickets added 55 runs for a total of 111. Only one Bremer Callington batsman reached double figures and that was Graydon Brand who played a lone hand of 66 not out from 131 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Shane Druwitt was the star with the ball for the Warriors with the excellent figures of 4/10 from his nine-over spell. Nick Johns (3/30), Harrison Reid (2/20) and Chris Baschiera (1/26) were the other wicket takers for Woodside. After losing an early wicket, Trent Young and James Bradley added 104 runs for the second wicket before Bradley was dismissed for 27 (71 balls). Young continued on to make 75 not out from 78 balls (12 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the winning runs came up in the 27th over. Jamesson Kelly (1/3) and Brand (1/25) were the wicket takers for the Cobras. 

Strathalbyn got back on the winners list after defeating Macclesfield by four wickets at ‘Maccy’ on Saturday. The home side batted first and after being 4/36, recovered well to post a total of 167 before being bowled out in the 43rd over. The recovery was led in the main by all-rounder Lachlan Barrett who top scored with 72 from 116 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). David Schulze chipped in with a handy 38 (73 balls) with Extras (21) the third highest score. Stallions captain Brayden Gaiter (4/24), Lachlan Cutting (3/23) and Kane Gaiter (2/23) were the leading wicket takers. Strathalbyn were relatively untroubled in the run chase, although at 6/128 there was still a chance for the Redbacks to snatch an unlikely victory. Kane Gaiter (15 not out) and Riley Brook (9 not out) saw their side over the line after earlier knocks from Mark Abbott (51), Matthew Harris (31) and Luke Cousins (20) had set the Stallions on the road to victory. Craig Lallard (2/17) was the leading wicket taker for Macclesfield. 

Ladder (after round 5)

Langhorne Creek 20, Lobethal 16, Macclesfield 12, Strathalbyn 12, Woodside 8, Nairne 8, Hahndorf 4, Bremer Callington 0.

Round 6 fixtures (home teams named first)  

Macclesfield v Langhorne Creek 

Nairne v Bremer Callington 

Strathalbyn v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Woodside