Nairne stayed in the finals hunt and just about put paid to Woodside’s finals aspirations after defeating the Warriors by 56 runs during round 15 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Nairne on Saturday. The home side batted first and got off to the worst possible start with Robert Crook dismissed by Dale Robinson with the first ball of the game. Crook’s dismissal brought Nairne skipper Luke Timmins to the crease to join Jarrad Tait as this pair added 81 runs for the second wicket before Tait was dismissed for 50 (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Sam Rowe (2) and Timmins (24) were dismissed in quick succession as the Razorbacks slipped to 4/91 before the in-form Mitch Hein (27) partnered with Shane Kenney (37) to add 42 runs for the fifth wicket. Nairne finished up posting a competitive total of 8/192 from their 45 overs. Shane Collins (2/19), Robinson (2/26) and Charlie McDonough (2/39) were the multiple wicket takers for Woodside. Woodside’s top order had some handy contributions from Tommy Baldock (27), Jeremy Snoad (19), Dave Wescome (18) and Brad Collins (16) in their run chase but no one went on with it for the big score the Warriors needed. Hard hitting Sam Pullen came in and gave the innings some much needed impetus as he smashed 37 from just 14 balls including five sixes. Pullen has hit a whopping 12 ‘maximums’ in his last two innings! Matt Hein (4/17) got the crucial breakthrough to dismiss Pullen and the end came quickly as the Warriors lost their last 5/7 to be bowled out for 136 in the 41st over. Brodie Clarke (3/12) and Jacob Sadler (2/4) were the other multiple wicket takers for Nairne. 

Langhorne Creek has all but wrapped up their first minor premiership in AEHCA ‘A’ grade competition with a convincing 121-run win over Mount Barker at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The Tigers had a number of players out with Martin Rigby and Jordon Whiting making their ‘A’ grade debuts. Langhorne Creek batted first and the going was tough as the score reached 2/28 after 10 overs with Mount Barker’s Hayden Lane (2/38) taking both the wickets to fall. Opening batsman Brodie O’Dea was joined by Ben Warren as this pair settled down as the Tigers reached 2/87 (23) at the drinks break. O’Dea went on to score 102 not out (146 balls) while Warren brought up his 14th ‘A’ grade ‘ton’ for the Creeks in the final over of the innings to finish with 108 not out (95 balls). The unbroken 223-run stand was the fourth highest ‘A’ grade partnership in the club's history as the Tigers posted an imposing 2/251 from their 45 overs. Mount Barker were in early trouble at 2/15 before Ryhs Paterson (15) and Simon Turk tried to lift their side back into the contest with a 35-run stand for the third wicket. Turk went on to top score for the Kookaburras with 40 (51 balls) as Mount Barker finished their 45 overs at 9/130. Six Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Troy Blackwell (3/21) and Mathew Cannizzaro (2/11) leading the way. Blackwell has moved back to the top of the AEHCA wicket takers list with 26 scalps at an average of 14.65. 

Reigning premier Hahndorf won their seventh game of the season to remain in fourth spot on the AEHCA ladder following an eight-wicket victory over Wistow at Hahndorf Oval. Wistow batted first and were under immediate pressure with Daniel Jenner (6) and David Kinlough (0) both dismissed by Hahndorf skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker as the visitors slipped to 2/16. The in-form Matt Chapman joined opening batsman Lachlan Elsworthy as the Echidnas started to work their way back into the game. The partnership realised 81 runs before Elsworthy was dismissed for 48 (94 balls), his highest score of the season. Chapman went on to make 78 from 117 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as his side posted 6/172 from their 45 overs. Chapman is having an excellent season after recovering from a severe knee injury and now has 403 runs at an average of 36.64 in 2020/21. Trafford-Walker with 3/20 (9) was the pick of the Magpies bowlers with Graydon Brand (2/13) offering good support. The Magpies got off to an excellent start in their run chase with Greg Hassold (73) and Andrew Baker (32) batting well. Shaun Tait (35 not out) and Sam Williams (15 not out) then put the finishing touches on the innings as the target was reached with more than 15 overs to spare. 

Strathalbyn kept their double chance hopes alive after defeating Bremer/Callington by 38 runs at home. The Stallions were sent in on their home deck and were in trouble early at 2/24 before a 56-run third wicket stand between veteran Steven Schofield (31) and Matthew Harris (33) put them on top. Ben Cousins then gave the innings some much needed impetus as he scored an unbeaten 46 from just 41 balls to lift Strathalbyn to a final total of 8/174. Brad Louch (3/22) continued his good debut season with the Cobras and he was well supported by Sandeep Huda (2/23). Bremer/Callington got good contributions from Arsalan Eubaid (34), Ajay Pundir (28) and Huda (23) but the middle and lower order failed to fire as the visitors were dismissed for 136. The Stallions shared the wickets around with Ben Cousins (3/18) continuing his good day. Brayden Gaiter (2/25), Zach Reekie (2/26) and Tim Dellatorre (2/38) chimed in with a couple of wickets each. 

Lobethal had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 15)

Langhorne Creek 46, Lobethal 36, Strathalbyn 36, Hahndorf 34, Nairne 32, Woodside 28, Bremer/Callington 12, Mount Barker 8, Wistow 8.

Round 16 fixtures (20/2/21) (home team named first)

Mount Barker v Strathalbyn

Bremer/Callington v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Langhorne Creek

Wistow v Nairne

Woodside has the bye