Lobethal won their third game in a row to consolidate second spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following their six-wicket win at Woodside on Saturday. Woodside won the toss and batted first but were soon in trouble at 2/15, before Sam Pullen and Jordan Vette came together to add 78 runs for the third wicket. Vette, in his first ‘A’ grade game, made 30 from 83 balls, while Pullen top scored with 43 from 52 balls. Once both Vette and Pullen were dismissed though, it was all Lobethal with the Warriors losing their last 8/43 to be bowled out in the 45th over for 136. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Cam Winen the standout performer with 4/8 from six overs. Matt Jenkin was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/7 (2.3). Lobethal were relatively untroubled in their run chase as Mitch Weeks (40), Ben Matthews (34) and Dan Norsworthy (29 not out) led the Tigers to victory with more than 20 overs spare. Mitchell Reid (2/29), Harrison Reid (1/9) and Chris Baschiera (1/39) were the wicket takers for Woodside. 

Nairne maintained top spot on the ladder with a sixth consecutive win, this time by six wickets against Macclesfield at Nairne. ‘Maccy’ won the toss and decided to bat first and they got off to a solid start with Kieran O’Connell (24) and Tom Filsell (10) putting on 38 for the first wicket. Three quick wickets saw the Redbacks slip to 3/43 before a solid 63-run fourth wicket stand between skipper David Caddle (21) and Connor Moore lifted the score to 3/106 and a total of 180+ looked possible. It wasn’t to be though, as the Redbacks lost their last 7/38 to be bowled out for 144 in the 45th over. Moore went on to top score with 53 (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Five Nairne bowlers took wickets with spinner Matt Hein taking the honours with 4/30 (9). Macclesfield hit back with the ball to reduce Nairne to 4/67 and a big upset looked a possibility. Moore’s good day continued as he bowled an excellent spell to capture 3/31 (9). The Razorbacks showed why they’re the reigning premier as they steadied the ship through an unbroken 79-run fifth wicket partnership between Mitch Hein and teenager Zac Llewellyn (25 not out) which saw their side over the line in the 37th over. Hein finished with 70 not out from 73 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6), continuing his excellent all-round season which has seen him make 192 runs and take 15 wickets after seven games. 

Langhorne Creek won their fourth game of the season and kept pressure on the top-four after their five-wicket win against Bremer/Callington at the Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The Cobras batted first and were well restricted by a tight Langhorne Creek bowling unit as they finished their 45 overs on 7/136. Graydon Brand (29), Alex Durbidge (24) and Sandeep Huda (21) were the main contributors to the Cobras score. Ben Warren was the pick of the Tigers bowlers with the excellent figures of 3/19 from nine overs (five maidens). Jens Christensen (2/27) was the other multiple wicket taker for Langhorne Creek. Brodie O’Dea (27) and Dan Kropp (15) got the home side off to a good start with a 39-run opening stand and Jaspa Tonkin made a patient 29 (70 balls), but the Cobras were taking regular wickets as the Tigers were 5/105 and the Cobras had a bit of a sniff of victory. That hope was quickly snuffed out as Matt Tonkin (26 not out) and Brayden Frost (14 not out) put on 35 runs for the sixth wicket as the winning runs were knocked off in the 37th over. Huda was the standout bowler for Bremer/Callington with 3/18 from his nine over spell. 

Strathalbyn made light work of a disappointing Hahndorf outfit with a convincing 10-wicket victory at Strathalbyn. Hahndorf won the toss and decided to bat first and they got off to a good start with Lachlan Huxtable (17) and Greg Hassold (14) putting on 41 runs for the first wicket. The steady start for the Magpies gave no hint to what was about to happen as they lost their last 10 wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 74 in the 36th over. Ben Cousins (3/12) and Matt Abbott (3/20) were excellent for the Stallions, while off-spinner Matt Harris bowled an amazing spell to snare 2/7 from nine overs (six maidens). The home side wasted no time in getting the win as the runs were knocked off in just the 16th over. Harris continued his good game with 35 not out from 50 balls (5 x 4’s), while his opening partner Luke Cousins finished undefeated on 33 from 41 balls (6 x 4’s). 

Ladder (after round 7)

Nairne 24, Lobethal 20, Strathalbyn 16, Woodside 16, Langhorne Creek 16, Bremer/Callington 8, Hahndorf 8, Macclesfield 4.

Round 8 fixture (home team named first)

Hahndorf v Bremer/Callington 

Strathalbyn v Nairne

Lobethal v Macclesfield

Woodside v Langhorne Creek