Lobethal claimed an important 33-run win against Strathalbyn on Saturday to consolidate their spot in the top-four on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder. The loss sees Strathalbyn in danger of missing finals action for the second year in a row. Lobethal were sent in to bat and as usual it was tough to score on their home ground. Mitch Weeks (28) and Lachlan Elsworthy (25) were the only Tigers batsmen to pass 20 as the hosts were bowled out in the 44th over for 111. The Stallions had no answer to the restrictive Lobethal bowling lineup as they were bowled out for just 78 in reply. Matt Martin continued his excellent season with figures of 3/15 (9). Martin now has 27 wickets at an average of 9.59 in 2021/22. He was well supported by Elsworthy who claimed 2/5 (4). Unfortunately at the time of writing, no details had been supplied by Strathalbyn.

Nairne has all but wrapped up the minor premiership with their 12th win of the season, this time by 165 runs against Bremer/Callington at Callington. The reigning premier batted first and put together a good total of 9/211 from their 45 overs. Robert Crook was the standout performer for Nairne in the first half of the innings with a hard-hitting 75 from 81 balls (8 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) before he was dismissed and the Cobras had a sniff with the score at 5/100. Jarrad Tait (36) and Mitch Hein (40 not out) added 56 runs for the sixth wicket, while Brodie Clarke hit a quickfire 24 (25 balls) at the end of the innings. Graydon Brand (4/49) and Amit Maina (2/43) were the leading wicket takers for the home side. The Cobras had no answers to the excellent Nairne bowling lineup with Jai McMurtrie (19) the only player to reach double figures before his side were bowled out for just 46 in the 25th over. Chad Harrop (3/7), Clarke (3/12) and Tait (2/3) were the wicket takers for Nairne. 

Langhorne Creek flexed their muscles in a percentage-boosting 10-wicket win at Macclesfield on Saturday. ‘Maccy’ batted first and got off to a solid start with Matt Giola and Tom Filsell adding 38 runs for the first wicket. That was to be the biggest partnership of the innings as the Redbacks were bowled out for 135 in the 44th over. Filsell top scored with 39 (92 balls) and he was well supported by Craig Lions who made 23 (26 balls). Six Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with skipper Daniel Cleggett continuing his good recent form as he snared 4/19 (9). Cleggett has claimed 11 wickets in his past three outings. Darcy Paech chimed in with 2/23 from eight overs. The ‘Creeks’ opening batsmen obviously had a pressing engagement to attend as Brodie O’Dea and Daniel Kropp knocked off the winning runs in just the 16th over! O’Dea spanked 83 not out from 59 balls (10 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s), while Kropp finished with 50 not out from 33 balls (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). 

Woodside consolidated their spot in the top-four with a convincing 72-run win at Hahndorf on Saturday. The Warriors batted first and got off to a good start with Dave Wescombe (24) and Brad Collins adding 44 for the first wicket. Wescombe passed 11,000 runs for Woodside during his innings. Collins went on to make 63 and with help from Noah Bell, who made his highest ‘A’ grade score of 49, the visitors posted a competitive score of 7/180 from their 45 overs. Hahndorf were never in the run chase as they were dismissed for 108 in the 44th over with all seven Warriors bowlers taking wickets including Wescombe (2/2) and Chris Baschiera (2/20). Unfortunately at the time of writing, no details had been supplied by Hahndorf.

Ladder (after round 14)

Nairne 48, Woodside 36, Langhorne Creek 36, Lobethal 36, Strathalbyn 28, Hahndorf 16, Macclesfield 12, Bremer/Callington 12.

Round 15 fixture (home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal

Strathalbyn v Bremer/Callington

Nairne v Hahndorf

Macclesfield v Woodside