Langhorne Creek has all but sewn up a finals berth following their tight eight-run win against Lobethal during round 15 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The home side batted first and it was tough going as they battled their way to 8/150 from their 45 overs. James Dawson anchored the innings against a tight Lobethal bowling attack to top score with 54 from 122 balls. Brodie O’Dea (16) and Shannon Jones (15) were next best for the Southern Tigers. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Lachlan Elsworthy (2/20), Dillon King (2/25) and James Elliott (2/31) leading the way. Lobethal also found the going tough with the bat as they slipped to 5/53 with Ben Matthews (26) the only top-five batsman to reach 20. Elsworthy (28) and Sam Graeber (27) battled hard to get the game to the last over but Graeber’s dismissal brought an end to the Lobethal run chase with two balls left in the game. It was a fine all-round performance from the Langhorne Creek bowling group with skipper Daniel Cleggett the standout with 3/16 from his nine overs. Cleggett has taken 14 wickets in his last four outings. He was well supported by Darcy Paech who captured 3/32 (9). 

Woodside pulled off a thrilling one-wicket win at Macclesfield to consolidate their spot in the top-four on Saturday. The Redbacks batted first and got off to a good start through opening batsmen Kieran O’Connell (38) and Tom Filsell (20). Joshua Clarke (28 not out) and Connor Moore (25) made handy contributions as the home side put up a competitive total of 7/155 after 45 overs. Harrison Reid (2/27) and Jeremy Druwitt (1/17) were the best of the Warriors bowlers. Dave Wescombe got Woodside off to a fast start with 34 from 36 balls but the Redbacks started getting on top as Joe Lions (3/22) and Lachlan Barrett (2/21) ran through the Warriors top order, reducing them to a precarious 6/81. The innings was turned around as Chris Baschiera came to the crease and smashed a quickfire 41 from just 38 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). However three quick wickets fell, including Baschiera, for just 12 runs to leave Woodside needing nine runs from 24 balls with the last pair of Reid (2 not out) and Druwitt (5 not out) at the crease. The 42nd over went for three runs before Druwitt hit a boundary from the bowling of Joshua Lewis-Burns in the 43rd over and then in something of an anti-climax, the winning runs came via wides. 

For the second consecutive week, Bremer/Callington have been bowled out for less than 50, this time for just 25, as Strathalbyn banked a percentage boosting 10-wicket win on their home ground. Strathalbyn won the toss and sent the Cobras into bat and the move paid immediate dividends as Bremer/Callington collapsed to be 5/7. Dion Rehn (11) was the only Cobra to reach double figures as the innings was wound up in just 13 overs. Wides (5) was the second top scorer. Tim Dellatorre (5/10) and skipper Brayden Gaiter (5/14) were the only two bowlers needed for ‘Strath’. The Stallions wasted no time chasing down the runs without loss in the fourth over. The win keeps Strathalbyn just four points outside the top-four. 

Reigning premier Nairne all but wrapped up the minor premiership with a convincing 132-run win over local rival Hahndorf at Nairne Oval. The Razorbacks batted first and were in early trouble at 2/9. Robert Crook made his second consecutive half century with 61 from 72 balls (8 x 4’s). and Shane Kenney made a hard-hitting 45 (56 balls). Jarrad Tait (17), Brodie Clarke (17) and Chad Harrop (16 not out) made handy contributions as Nairne posted a good total of 216. Lachlan Huxtable (3/32), Henry Hassold (3/42), Ryan Trafford-Walker (2/33) and Mark Trafford-Walker (2/40) were the multiple wicket takers for the Magpies. Hahndorf were never in the run chase as only Huxtable (25) and Greg Hassold (18) made it to double figures as they were fired out for just 84 in 35 overs. The powerful Nairne bowling attack shared the wickets around with Tait (3/18), Matt Hein (3/25), Harrop (2/8), Jacob Sadler (1/3) and Mitch Hein (1/10) the wicket takers. In a nice touch on a tough day for the Magpies, there were four father-son combinations in the Hahndorf side in the form of the Baker’s, Hassold’s, Trafford-Walker’s and Knappstein’s. 

Ladder (after round 15)

Nairne 52, Woodside 40, Langhorne Creek 40, Lobethal 36, Strathalbyn 32, Hahndorf 16, Macclesfield 12, Bremer/Callington 12.

Round 16 fixture (home team named first)

Hahndorf v Strathalbyn

Macclesfield v Nairne

Lobethal v Woodside

Bremer/Callington v Langhorne Creek