Reigning premier Lobethal flexed their considerable muscle with a 220-run win against Wistow during round 4 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AHCA) at Wistow on Saturday. The Tigers ran up a huge score of 8/415 from their 45 overs, with no fewer than 30 x 4’s and an amazing 27 x 6’s! Mitch Weeks continued his great start to the season, scoring a hard-hitting 123 from just 62 balls (12 x 4’s, 8 x 6’s) and he was well supported by Tanner King (94 from 100 balls) in a 161-run opening stand. Sam Martin (52 from 32 balls), Matt Martin (44 from 17 balls) and Sam Graeber (25 from 12 balls) then continued the carnage. Connor Burgess (4/80), Ryan Watt (2/56) and Cooper Kupke (2/67) were the leading wicket takers for the Echidnas. It was a mammoth task for Wistow as they took to the crease for the run chase. Kupke (57) and Connor Burgess (32) were the leading run scorers for Wistow as they were bowled out in the 37th over for 195. Lobethal used 10 bowlers with nine of them taking wickets, including Graeber who snared 2/29 (6).

Nairne won their first game of the season after a comfortable six-wicket victory over Hahndorf. The Magpies batted first and were bundled out in the 26th over for just 88. Michael Shanahan (22) and Ben Montgomerie (21) were the only Hahndorf batsmen to reach 20, while Luke Stephenson was the star with the ball for Nairne with figures of 6/35 from 6.4 overs. Skipper Brodie Clarke chipped in with 2/23 (7). Nairne had a bit of a wobble early in the run chase as they slipped to 3/30, before Zac Llewellyn (26) and Nick Melvin (36 not out) steadied the ship as the winning runs came up in the 19th over. Hudson Judd was the best of the Hahndorf bowlers with 2/16 (6).

Langhorne Creek also won their first game of the season after defeating Woodside by 48 runs at Woodside on Saturday. The visitors batted first and put up a competitive 7/215 from their 45 overs. Opener Brodie O’Dea top scored with 66 from 84 balls (10 x 4’s), while Liam O’Dea (37) and Daniel Cleggett (33 not out) made useful contributions. Josiah Moore (3/34) and Liam Moore (2/60) were the leading wicket takers for the Warriors. Woodside got themselves into a reasonable position at 5/149 with Dave Wescombe (44) and Tommy Baldock (40) leading the way, before they lost their last 5/18 to be bowled out for 167. Five Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Adam Clements (4/35), Daniel Kropp (2/26) and Cleggett (2/31) the leading wicket takers. 

Bremer Callington are up to third spot on the ladder following their three-wicket win over Strathalbyn at Callington. ‘Strath’ batted first with Luke Cousins and Ashley Medhurst adding 58 for the first wicket before Medhurst was dismissed for 21 (50). Cousins and skipper Matt Harris then added 80 for the third wicket before Cousins was dismissed for 67 (88). Harris went on to top score with 80 not out from 77 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Stallions finished on 5/207. Alex Durbidge took 2/14 from five overs for the Cobras. Bremer Callington’s run chase was underpinned by a fine innings from Jai McMurtrie who top scored with 79 from 92 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6) and he received good support from Michael Heath (31), Johnny Fitzgerald (20) and Nathan Fitzgerald (18) as the winning runs came up in the 39th over. Five Strathalbyn bowlers took wickets with Brayden Gaiter (2/33) and Lachlan Cutting (2/39) the multiple wicket takers. 

The first game of round five was actually played on Sunday (2/11) with Langhorne Creek hosting Strathalbyn, and it was a big result for the travelling Stallions as they won their first game at the Creek since 2019. ‘Strath’ batted first with Luke Cousins continuing his excellent season with a top-scoring 80 from 97 balls (7 x 4’s). Cousins now has 309 runs at 77.25 after five rounds of the season. Brayden Gaiter (32) and Matt Harris (20) chipped in to help their side to a total of 189. Daniel Kropp (4/35) and Troy Blackwell (3/38) were the leading wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. The Creeks got themselves into a good position at 2/78, before losing their last 8/61 to be bowled out for 139 in the 39th over. Blackwell top scored with 35 from 41 balls, while Tom Plant, in his first game for Langhorne Creek, made 34 (48). Nick Evenden was the star with the ball for the Stallions with 4/24 off nine overs.

Ladder (after round 4)*

Lobethal 14, Strathalbyn 10, Bremer Callington 10, Hahndorf 10, Wistow 10, Nairne 6, Langhorne Creek 6, Woodside 2. 

*Ladder includes the first game of round 5 played on 2/11/25

Round 5 (8/11/25 - home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Strathalbyn (Sunday 2/11/25)

Bremer Callington v Nairne

Lobethal v Hahndorf

Woodside v Wistow