Nairne leapfrogged Lobethal into second spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder after a low-scoring two-wicket win over the Tigers at Nairne Oval during round 14 action in the AEHCA on Saturday. Lobethal batted first and were in early trouble at 3/7, before Sam Graeber (38) and Tanner King (52) added 80 runs for the fourth wicket before Graeber was dismissed. From the relatively strong position at 3/87, the Tigers collapsed, losing their last 7/27 to be bowled out for 114. Left-arm spinner Matt Hein was the chief destroyer for Nairne with figures of 5/33 from his nine overs. He was well supported by brother Mitch (2/16) and Brodie Clarke (2/20). Nairne appeared to be cruising to victory with Shane Kenney (48) and Mitch Hein (13) taking the score to 2/70, before a collapse of 6/37 left the Razorbacks in a precarious position at 8/107. Thankfully for the home side, Zac Llewellyn (8 not out) and Matt Hein (5 not out) held their nerve to bring up the winning runs with 19 balls to spare. Mitch Weeks (2/12), Cameron Winen (2/23) and Dave Huxter (2/36) were the main wicket takers for Lobethal.

Macclesfield kept their finals hopes alive with a comfortable 75-run win against Bremer/Callington at ‘Maccy’. Macclesfield batted first and posted a competitive 6/172 from their 45 overs. All-rounder Lachlan Barrett top scored with 54 not out, and he was ably supported by Kieran O’Connell (38) and Josh Lewis-Burns (33). Bremer/Callington were never in the run chase as they were bowled out for just 97 in the 25th over. Jai McMurtrie, with 48, was the only shining light with the bat for the Cobras. Six Redbacks bowlers took wickets with Joseph Lions (3/15), O’Connell (2/1) and Barrett (2/20) leading the way.

Strathalbyn consolidated their spot in the top-four with a low-scoring 45-run win at Woodside. The Stallions batted first with vice-captain Matthew Harris making a crucial 51 from 94 balls (5 x 4’s). Mark Abbott (19) and Steve Schofield (18) made handy contributions as Strathalbyn struggled to 137 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Jeremy Druwitt (2/21), Shane Druwitt (2/29) and Nick Johns (2/38) were the leading wicket takers for the Warriors. Woodside were in all sorts of trouble in their run chase as they slumped to 5/47 before Will Dunstall (24) and Chris Baschiera (18) added 37 runs for the sixth wicket to get their team back in the game. The dismissal of Baschiera however, precipitated a collapse of 5/8 as the home side were bowled out for just 92 in the 33rd over. Lachlan Cutting (3/6) and Blake Beelitz (2/1) did the damage at the end of the innings for ‘Strath’, while skipper Brayden Gaiter dominated at the start with 3/15 from seven overs. 

The game between Hahndorf and Langhorne Creek was unable to be played at Mount Barker Summit due to the wet weather in the lead up to the weekend. 

Ladder - after round 14

Langhorne Creek 50, Nairne 40, Lobethal 38, Strathalbyn 32, Macclesfield 26, Bremer/Callington 18, Woodside 16, Hahndorf 4. 

Round 15 fixtures (11/2/23) - home team named first

Hahndorf v Bremer/Callington

Woodside v Nairne 

Strathalbyn v Macclesfield 

Lobethal v Langhorne Creek