Reigning premier Nairne defeated Bremer/Callington by 51 runs in their top-of-the-table clash at Nairne on Saturday during round five action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The match was reduced to 30 overs per side with the home side batting first. Jarrad Tait got the Razorbacks off to a good start with a quickfire 31 from 27 balls (5 x 4’s). Luke Harrowfield (27) and skipper Luke Timmins came together for an important 58-run third wicket partnership, while Chad Harrop (12) put on 35 runs for the sixth wicket with Timmins. The Nairne skipper continued on to make 77 not out from 77 balls (4 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s) as the Razorbacks posted an imposing 6/183 from their 30 overs. Sandeep Huda (2/24 off 6 overs) was the best of the Cobras bowlers. Bremer/Callington were never really in the run chase as they completed their 30 overs on 7/132. Dion Rehn (33 not out) and Bradley Clements (20 not out) led the way with the bat for the Cobras. Mitch Hein (2/23) and Matt Hein (2/35) were the multiple wicket takers for Nairne.

Woodside consolidated their spot in the top-four following their comfortable six-wicket win against Hahndorf at Woodside Oval. Hahndorf struggled through their innings with only Benny Montgomerie (20) and Henry Baker (17) passing 15 as they were bowled out for just 93 in the 26th over. All five Woodside bowlers took wickets with Steve Ball leading the way with 3/12. Ball has 11 wickets at an average of just 8.18 this season. He was ably supported by Shane Collins (2/12), Jeremy Druwitt (2/24) and Nick Johns jnr (2/33). Veteran opening batsman Dave Wescombe wasted no time in getting the run chase going as he smashed his way to 67 from just 49 balls with 60 runs coming in boundaries (12 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). There wasn’t much left to do after Wescombe was dismissed as Sam Pullen (11 not out) saw the Warriors over the line in the 19th over. Liam O’Neil (2/28), Henry Hassold (1/10) and Michael Harden (1/27) were the wicket takers for the Magpies.

Langhorne Creek won their third game of the season with a 40-run victory against Macclesfield on Saturday. Brodie O’Dea was in for his first game of the season and took over the captaincy. He started well by winning the toss and deciding to bat first and the  move paid immediate dividends as O’Dea (49) and Daniel Kropp (44) added 81 runs for the first wicket. James Dawson anchored the rest of the innings with 61 not out from 101 balls (7 x 4’s). Dawson and Joel Cross (25) put on 64 for the fifth wicket as the Tigers finished with 5/208 from their 45 overs. Arif Malik (2/62) was the only multiple wicket taker for Macclesfield. The Redbacks run chase started in solid fashion as they reached 1/52 with Kieran O’Connell (24) and Connor Moore (18) putting on 37 runs for the second wicket, before four quick wickets left ‘Maccy’ reeling at 5/67. Macclesfield skipper David Caddle was battling hard as he brought up his first half century of the season before being dismissed for 56 from 90 balls (6 x 4’s) with his side bowled out in the 43rd over for 168. Five Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Ben Warren leading the way with 3/28 (8.1). He was well supported by O’Dea (2/13), Troy Blackwell (2/36) and Jens Christensen (2/45).

Lobethal also won their third game of the season and in the process cemented fourth position on the AEHCA ladder, a game clear of fifth. Lobethal made the long journey to Strathalbyn and the home side won the toss and decided to bat first. The Stallions got themselves into a great position as they reached 1/115 through the good work of Matt Harris who top scored with 69 from 99 balls (12 x 4’s) and Mark Abbott (28 from 71 balls). Both Harris and Abbott were dismissed by Ben Matthews who finished with the amazing figures of 3/6 from four overs. Matthews rarely ventures to the bowling crease but his four-over spell turned the game on its head as the Stallions lost their last nine wickets for just 23 runs to be bowled out for 138 in the 44th over. Joining Matthews among the wickets was Matt Martin (3/34) and Mitch Weeks (2/22). Lobethal’s run chase started slowly as they were restricted by a fine spell from Strathalbyn skipper Brayden Gaiter. Gaiter snared 2/23 from his nine overs as the Tigers were a bit shaky at 4/69. Matthews was anchoring the innings and he was joined by Matt Jenkin in an unbroken 70-run stand for the fifth wicket as Lobethal knocked off the winning runs in the 41st over. Matthews finished on 59 not out from 123 balls (9 x 4’s), while Jenkin made a hard-hitting 46 not out from 39 balls (3 x 4’s, 1 x 6). 

Ladder (after round 5)

Nairne 16, Woodside 12, Langhorne Creek 12, Lobethal 12, Bremer/Callington 8, Strathalbyn 8, Hahndorf 8, Macclesfield 4.

Round 6 fixture (home team named first)

Lobethal v Langhorne Creek

Bremer/Callington v Strathalbyn 

Hahndorf v Nairne

Woodside v Macclesfield