It was another rain interrupted day during round seven action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) with just two matches completed on Saturday. Macclesfield won their third game of the season with a nail-biting one-wicket win against Bremer/Callington at Callington. The home side batted first with all of their top-six batsmen reaching double figures. No Cobras batsman went on with it though, as Alex Durbidge top scored with 18, while Nathan Fitzgerald was left stranded on 17 not out, with the Cobras losing their last 6/13 to be bowled out for 107. Kieran O’Connell (4/13) and Connor Moore (3/15) were the chief destroyers for the Redbacks. Macclesfield started well to reach 1/52 with O’Connell (21) and Moore (20) continuing their good games. Josh Lewis-Burns added 22, but ‘Maccy’ collapsed to 9/99 and the Cobras looked set to pull off an amazing victory. Rowan Voogt (8 not out) and Ben Matthews (2 not out) held their nerve to get their side over the line in the 35th over. Daniel Lowe (3/15), Graydon Brand (3/27) and Nathan Fitzgerald (2/14) were the best of the Bremer/Callington bowlers.

Langhorne Creek remained undefeated after a comfortable eight-wicket win at home against Hahndorf. The visitors batted first and were no match for the Tigers’ opening bowler Troy Blackwell, who snared the great figures of 6/21 from his nine overs. Just two Hahndorf batsmen reached double figures with Ryan Trafford-Walker (17) and Benny Montgomerie (12) the leading scorers. Brodie O’Dea was the other multiple wicket taker for Langhorne Creek with 2/7 (4.4). The Tigers wasted no time in the run chase as they brought up the win in just the 15th over. Daniel Kropp continued his excellent season with 42 not out from just 29 balls (2 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Harry Eades (1/9) and Mitch Bannister (1/24) were the wicket takers for Hahndorf.

The match between Lobethal and Nairne at ‘Lobey’ was abandoned just six overs into the Tigers innings as they were on 0/31 (Ben Matthews 20 not out) chasing Nairne’s score of 9/143. Shane Kenney (41) and Luke Clayton (26) were the mainstays of the Razorbacks innings. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets including Matt Martin (2/15), Sam Graeber (2/15) and Tanner King (2/31). 

Only 18 overs were possible at Strathalbyn with the home side reaching 2/42 against Woodside before rain stopped play. Matt Harris got some time in the middle with 24 not out (51 balls), while Chris Baschiera took both wickets for the Warriors on his way to figures of 2/13 (6).

Ladder - after round 7

Langhorne Creek 26, Strathalbyn 16, Lobethal 16, Nairne 16, Macclesfield 14, Woodside 12, Bremer/Callington 10, Hahndorf 2. 

Round 8 fixtures - home team named first

Bremer/Callington v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Langhorne Creek

Macclesfield v Strathalbyn

Nairne v Woodside