Hahndorf moved inside the top-four with a tight 20-run win over Wistow during round 11 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Hahndorf on Saturday. The Magpies batted first and struggled early as they slipped to 6/73. Curtis Montgomery (37 not out) and Ryan Trafford-Walker (21) helped lift their side to a total of 159 before being bowled out in the 43rd over. Five Wistow bowlers took wickets including Connor Burgess (3/25), Harrison Burgess (3/34) and Ryan Watt (2/20). Wistow got themselves into a good position at 3/103 through an excellent innings from Connor Burgess who top scored with 65 (112 balls). From their strong position, the Echidnas lost 7/36 to be bowled out for 139. Ty Watson did the damage for Hahndorf with 4/19 (6), while former international cricketer Shaun Tait took 2/25 (9).

Nairne won their fourth game in a row after defeating Bremer Callington by seven wickets at Nairne on Saturday. Bremer Callington batted first with Alex Durbidge (31) and Jai McMurtrie (20) top scoring as the Cobras were bowled out for 144 in the 32nd over. All five Nairne bowlers took wickets with Luke Stephenson (3/46), Will Brooks (2/14), Nick Melvin (2/22) and Ryan Williams (2/31) the multiple wicket takers. The Razorbacks were relatively untroubled in the run chase as they brought up victory with more than 18 overs to spare. Zac Llewellyn (24) and Melvin (22) made handy contributions, but it was Luke Timmins who carried the innings with 80 not out from 80 balls (10 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Timmins brought up his 5,000th career run for Nairne during the innings. 

Lobethal remained two games clear on top of the ladder after a comfortable 113-run win against Strathalbyn. Lobethal batted first and were in strife early at 3/14, but the Tigers’ great depth shone through as Scott Higgins and Sam Martin (47) added 85 runs for the fourth wicket. Higgins then combined with Steve Huxter (45) to put on 75 for the sixth wicket before Higgins went for 84 (122 balls) as Lobethal reached a total of 221. Brayden Gaiter was the standout bowler for the Stallions with 4/34 (8). The Strathalbyn run chase never got going with Luke Cousins (23) the only player to pass 20 as the Stallions were rolled for 108 in the 39th over. Lobethal used nine bowlers with Dave Huxter the standout with 4/16 (7).

Langhorne Creek won their fifth game on the trot following their four-wicket victory against Woodside. The Warriors batted first with Noah Bell (43) and Tommy Baldock (24) helping their side into a good position at 2/74, before they lost 8/42 to be bowled out for 116 in the 40th over. Daniel Evans (4/29) and Daniel Cleggett (3/18) were the leading wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. The Creeks were in deep trouble in the run chase as they slumped to 5/47 in the 14th over, with Brodie O’Dea (22) the only top-five batsman to reach double figures. Curtis Perrey (30 not out) and Ben Warren (20) then combined for an important 41-run partnership for the sixth wicket, while Perrey and Cleggett (11 not out) saw the Tigers over the line in the 35th over. Jeremy Druwitt (3/27) and Shane Druwitt (3/31) were the wicket takers for the Warriors. 

Ladder (after round 11)

Lobethal 36, Nairne 28, Langhorne Creek 28, Hahndorf 20, Wistow 18, Bremer Callington 16, Strathalbyn 16, Woodside 14.

Round 12 (17/1/26 - home team named first)

Bremer Callington v Wistow

Nairne v Strathalbyn

Woodside v Lobethal

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf