Reigning premier Lobethal has ominously moved to the top of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder after a huge 329-run win against Macclesfield during round six action at Macclesfield on Saturday. The Tigers batted first with opening batsman Riley Harten and number three Lachie Bates adding 135 runs for the second wicket. Harten made 102 off 103 balls (11 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Bates smashed 86 from just 62 balls (9 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s). The carnage didn’t end there as Dillon King added a quickfire 78 not out from 41 balls with five fours and five sixes as Lobethal amassed a huge total of 8/386 from their 45 overs. All of the Redbacks bowlers took a bit of a hammering with Josh Lewis-Burns (3/93) and Coebe Holt (2/93) the multiple wicket takers. Chasing such a huge total was always going to be hard work and so it turned out as ‘Maccy’ were bundled out for just 57. Lewis-Burns top scored with 25 not out (17 balls), while Connor Moore (11) was the only other batsman to reach double figures. Lobethal only used two bowlers with Matt Martin having a day out with figures of 6/14 from 8.4 overs, while Dave Huxter took 2/43 (8). 

Woodside made it four wins on the trot, and in the process moved up to second spot on the ladder, following their 97-run win at home against Strathalbyn. The Warriors batted first as Brad Collins (47) and Trent Young (34) added 79 for the first wicket. Collins and Dave Wescombe then put on 59 for the second wicket as Wescombe went on to top score with 55 from 50 balls (10 x 4’s). Noah Bell (35) and Michael Hennessy (22 not out) made handy contributions as Woodside posted 5/233 from their 45 overs. Left-armer Mark Abbott was the standout with the ball for the Stallions with figures of 3/26 from his nine overs. Strathalbyn were never really in the run chase with only two batsmen passing 20 as they were bowled out for 136 in the 36th over. Kane Gaiter made 29 (43), while Matt Harris was the standout with 57 from 72 balls (8 x 4’s). Five Warriors bowlers took wickets including Chris Baschiera (2/15), Craig Medlow (2/16), Shane Druwitt (2/30) and Nick Johns (2/39).

Langhorne Creek consolidated their spot in the top-four with a 35-run victory at Hahndorf on Saturday. The visitors batted first and were soon in strife at 2/21, before Shannon Jones (47) and Ben Warren (40) came together to add 55 for the third wicket. Troy Blackwell (41) and Jayden Michelmore (36) put on 73 runs for the sixth wicket, while Dan Kropp added the finishing touches with a hard-hitting 30 from 17 balls at the end of the innings. The Tigers posted a very competitive total of 9/242 from their 45 overs with Ryan Trafford-Walker (3/53) the major wicket taker for the Magpies. Ben Salt (34), Sam Williams (24) and Ben Montgomerie (21) made handy contributions to start the Hahndorf run chase, but at 6/117, the game appeared over. Trafford-Walker (37) and Jack Phelan (42) had other ideas as they added 56 runs for the seventh wicket. Ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Magpies were bowled out in the 43rd over for 207. All six Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Warren (2/19), Brad Clements (2/29) and Dan Cleggett (2/47) leading the way. 

Nairne won their third game of the season after a comfortable six-wicket win over Bremer Callington. The Cobras batted first and got off to a good start as they reached 3/139 with Jai McMurtrie (36), Graydon Brand (35), Alex Durbidge (27) and Nathan Fitzgerald (20) making handy contributions. The innings stalled somewhat after that good start as Bremer Callington posted 8/153 from their 45 overs. Brodie Clarke (3/22) was the pick of the Razorbacks bowlers and he was ably supported by Caleb Walker (3/44) and William Brooks (2/23). The run chase got off to a bit of a shaky start for Nairne as they slipped to 2/30, and then 4/82, before Brad Christie (31 not out) joined Luke Timmins to add an unbroken fifth wicket stand worth 73 runs as the Razorbacks brought up the win in just the 29th over. Timmins finished with 72 not out from 75 balls (11 x 4’s), while Brand was the best of the Cobras bowlers with 3/28 off seven overs. 

Ladder (after round 6)

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

Round 7 fixtures (home team named first)  

Bremer Callington v Hahndorf

Langhorne Creek v Macclesfield 

Lobethal v Woodside

Strathalbyn v Nairne