Reigning premier Lobethal won their second game in a row to open the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AHCA) season, after defeating Bremer Callington by eight wickets at Lobethal yesterday. Bremer Callington batted first with Jai McMurtrie and Johnny Fitzgerald adding 119 for the first wicket before Fitzgerald departed for 55 (59 balls). McMurtrie went on to top score with 56 (107 balls) as the Cobras posted 7/178 from their 45 overs. Sam Graeber (2/21), Steve Huxter (2/24) and Matt Martin (2/30) were the multiple wicket takers for Lobethal. The Tigers wasted no time in the run chase with Mitch Weeks smashing an unbeaten 114 from only 66 balls. Weeks’ innings included 14 x 4’s and 2 x 6’s as the winning runs came up in just the 20th over. Michael Kudra (1/30) and Nathan Fitzgerald (1/38) were the wicket takers for Bremer Callington.

A century to veteran ‘keeper/batsman Luke Cousins has fired Strathalbyn to their first victory of the season after the Stallions defeated Nairne by 31 runs in a high scoring encounter at ‘Strath’. Cousins carried his bat through the innings to finish on 116 not out from 125 balls (13 x 4’s) as Strathalbyn scored 4/243 from their 45 overs. Skipper Matthew Harris (56 from 48 balls) added 104 for the third wicket with Cousins. Tom Fiebiger and Luke Timmins added 110 for the second wicket as Nairne reached a good position at 1/110 before Timmins was dismissed for 44 (56). Fiebiger continued on to top score with 73 (89 balls) and he was well supported by Robert Crook (32) and Brodie Clarke (31), but ultimately the Razorbacks came up short on 9/212. Brayden Gaiter was the pick of the Stallions bowlers with 3/26 (9) and he was well supported by Harris (2/36), Lachlan Cutting (2/42) and Nick Williams (2/55. 

Wistow has continued its excellent start back in ‘A’ grade ranks with a three-wicket win against Langhorne Creek at Wistow. Langhorne Creek batted first with Brodie O’Dea and Daniel Kropp adding 27 runs for the first wicket before O’Dea went for 20 (28 balls). Kropp went on to top score with 63 from 79 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Tigers were bowled out in the 39th over for 149. Ryan Watt (4/32) and Connor Burgess (2/33) were the multiple wicket takers for the Echidnas. Wistow’s run chase started in disastrous fashion as they slumped to 2/3 in the second over, before Cooper Kupke and Josh Fidler (20) combined for 41-run third wicket stand. Kupke continued on and received great support from Tim Chynoweth as this pair put on 75 runs for the fifth wicket before Kupke departed for 51 (108 balls). Chynoweth finished with 48 (58 balls) as Wistow brought up the win in the 39th over. Troy Blackwell (2/30) was the leading wicket taker for Langhorne Creek. 

Hahndorf are also undefeated after two rounds following their eight-wicket victory at Woodside. The Warriors batted first and started well with skipper Tommy Baldock (36) and Trent Young putting on 74 for the first wicket. Young continued on to top score with 65 (86 balls), while Chris Baschiera chimed in with 25 (37 balls) as the Warriors put up 7/190 from their 45 overs. Hahndorf left-armer Ty Watson was the pick of the Magpies bowlers with 4/36 (9), while Michael Shanahan took 2/39 (9). Paul Allegretto (35) and Watson got Hahndorf off to a fast start before Ben Salt joined Watson in an undefeated third wicket stand worth 139 runs. Watson finished with 77 not out (129 balls), while Salt made 66 not out (79 balls) as Hahndorf won with 33 balls to spare. Josiah Moore (2/18) took both wickets for the Warriors.

Ladder (after round 2)

Lobethal 8, Wistow 8, Hahndorf 8, Strathalbyn 4, Bremer Callington 4, Woodside 0, Nairne 0, Langhorne Creek 0. 

Round 3 (25/10/25 - home team named first)

Hahndorf v Bremer Callington

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal

Nairne v Wistow

Strathalbyn v Woodside