Reigning premiers Lobethal won their third game in a row after a tight two-wicket victory against Nairne during round 12 action of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Lobethal yesterday. Nairne batted first with hard-hitting opener Shane Kenney scoring 55 from 45 balls (2 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s). Brad Christie (46), Chad Harrop (33 not out) and skipper Robert Crook (24) made handy contributions as the visitors posted a competitive 7/208 from their 45 overs. Sam Graeber was the standout bowler for the Tigers with 3/17 (9), while Matt Martin took 2/50 (9). The Lobethal run chase was an interesting one with nine batsmen reaching double figures with Steve Huxter (27), Tanner King (27), Graeber (26) and Mitch Weeks (22) the leading scorers. It was left to Matt Martin (16 not out) and Daniel Norsworthy (14 not out) to get their side over the line with 20 balls to spare. Harrop (3/42) was the leading wicket taker for the Razorbacks. 

Hahndorf won their fourth game on the trot following a seven-wicket triumph at home against Macclesfield. ‘Maccy’ batted first with Oliver Llewellyn top scoring with a patient 44 from 96 balls (3 x 4’s), while Chad Horsnell made 31 (32) as the Redbacks were bowled out for 129. Five Hahndorf bowlers took wickets with skipper Daniel Jenner snaring 3/3 from three overs. He was well supported by Bradey Judd (2/19), Lachlan Huxtable (2/21) and Sam Williams (2/27). Williams got Hahndorf off to a fast start with a hard-hitting 52 from 39 balls (9 x 4’s) and he was ably supported by Bradey Judd (41 not out) as the winning runs came up in just the 25th over. 

Strathalbyn won their fourth game of the season after a comfortable five-wicket victory against Bremer Callington at Callington. The Cobras batted first with opener Jai McMurtrie (31), Alex Durbidge (23) and Rhys Jordan (23) top scoring as their side was bowled out in the 42nd over for 132. Strathalbyn skipper Brayden Gaiter led from the front with 3/30 (9) and he was well supported by Mark Abbott (2/14), Lachlan Cutting (2/17) and Matt Harris (2/25). Abbott was the mainstay of the run chase for the visitors with 53 from 78 balls (8 x 4’s) and Ashley Medhurst made a patient 23 not out (70 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 37th over. Cobras skipper Nathan Fitzgerald was the pick of the bowlers with 2/21 from nine overs. 

Woodside consolidated their position in the top-four after an excellent 65-run win at home against fellow finals contender Langhorne Creek. The Warriors win was set up by a 181-run second wicket partnership between Brad Collins and Dave Wescombe as the home side posted 8/235 from their 45 overs. Collins made his first century of the season with 103 from 118 balls (13 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Wescombe finished with 83 from 101 balls (10 x 4’s). Shannon Jones (3/25), Troy Blackwell (3/34) and Adam Clements (2/35) were the multiple wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. The ‘Creeks’ got off to a disastrous start in the run chase as they collapsed to 5/22 inside eight overs as Shane Druwitt did the early damage for Woodside with 4/34 from his nine-over spell. Jayden Michelmore (57) and Jagga Kotz (48) started a resurrection mission with a 103-run sixth wicket union before veteran fast bowler Aaron Galvin, the fifth bowler used by the Warriors, came on and took the last five wickets, including a hat trick to end the game as Langhorne Creek were bowled out for 170. Galvin rolled back the clock with figures of 5/37 (8.3). 

Ladder (after round 12)

Lobethal 40, Hahndorf 36, Woodside 32, Langhorne Creek 32, Nairne 20, Strathalbyn 16, Bremer Callington 12, Macclesfield 4.

Round 13 fixtures (1/2/25)

Nairne v Bremer Callington

Strathalbyn v Woodside 

Lobethal v Macclesfield

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf