Nairne moved up to second spot on the ladder after a tight two-wicket victory over Wistow during round 9 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Wistow yesterday. The home side batted first and were in big trouble as they slipped to 6/72 in the 24th over. Jaxon Lynn was joined by Harrison Burgess to add 71 runs for the seventh wicket before Lynn departed for 55 (71 balls). Burgess continued on to make 45 not out (60), while Declan Bell whacked a quickfire 31 (22) to lift the Echidnas to 7/204 from their 45 overs. Ryan Williams was the pick of the Nairne bowlers with figures of 3/16 (9) and he was well supported by Luke Stephenson (2/35). The Razorbacks got off to a good start with Nick Melvin (48) and Tom Fiebiger (45) adding 76 runs for the first wicket. Handy contributions from Zac Llewellyn (27), Jack May (27), Luke Timmins (17) and Brodie Clarke (16 not out) saw Nairne over the line with six balls to spare. Josh Fidler (2/12), Ryan Watt (2/22), Connor Burgess (2/27) and Harrison Burgess (2/45) were the multiple wicket takers for Wistow. 

Strathalbyn moved within half a game of the top-four after a nail-biting one-wicket win against Woodside yesterday. Woodside batted first with Luke Langmead (38) and Brad Collins (26) the only batsmen in the top-six to reach double figures as the Warriors struggled to 9/118 in the 36th over. Liam Moore (17) and Shane Druwitt (27 not out) then combined for a 47-run 10th wicket stand to lift the Warriors to a total of 165. Brayden Gaiter was the star with the ball for Strathalbyn with 4/13 from his nine overs, while Lachlan Cutting (2/33) and Nick Williams (2/37) were the other multiple wicket takers. The Stallions were in strife in their run chase at 6/56, before Williams (21) joined opening batsman Luke Cousins to add 42 runs for the seventh wicket. But when the ninth wicket fell with 45 runs still required, it looked like Woodside had the win in their hands. Cousins was still there and he was joined by number 11 Austin Greaves as they edged towards victory with five runs needed from the last over. Cousins proved to be the hero as he struck a boundary with three balls left to get his side over the line. Greaves finished on 16 not out (19), while Cousins carried his bat for 71 not out (119) and now has 388 runs at 64.67 this season. Jeremy Druwitt (3/21) and Liam Moore (3/34) were the leading wicket takers for the Warriors. 

Lobethal bounced back after a loss last week with a crushing 279-run win in the grand final rematch against Hahndorf. The Tigers batted first and after losing Mitch Weeks early on, they consolidated through a 96-run stand between Tanner King and Jeremy Hackett before Hackett departed for 30 (34). King made a quickfire 79 from just 47 balls with his innings containing five fours and seven sixes. There was more pain to come with Daniel Norsworthy (25 not out), Steve Huxter (29), Sam Graeber (30) and Matt Martin (50) putting the Magpies to the sword. However, the top scorer for Lobethal was left-hander Sam Martin who made 86 from 64 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Ty Watson was by far the best of the Hahndorf bowlers with 2/25 from his nine-over spell. Hahndorf were never in the run chase with Greg Hassold (30) and Daniel Jenner (21) the only batsmen to reach double figures as the home side were bundled out for just 88 in the 20th over. Weeks was the star with the ball for the Tigers as he snared 6/12 from 5.1 overs, while Matt Martin took 2/17 (5).

Langhorne Creek won their third game in a row with a seven-wicket victory over Bremer Callington at Langhorne Creek. The visitors batted first with Jai McMurtrie and Michael Kudra putting on an excellent opening stand worth 113 runs before McMurtrie went for 57 (72). Kudra went on to top score with 90 from 111 balls (11 x 4’s) as the Cobras posted a competitive 7/222 from their 45 overs. Adam Clements (2/30), Daniel Kropp (2/30) and Ben Warren (2/45) were the leading wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. The home side were in early trouble in the run chase as they slipped to 3/53 and the Cobras were well on top. Skipper Adam Clements was joined by Warren and this pair set about chasing down the Cobras total with an unbroken stand of 174 to see their side home in the 35th over. Clements finished with 83 not out (77 balls), while Warren made 72 not out (73 balls). Nathan Fitzgerald took 2/52 (9) for the Cobras.

Ladder (after round 9)

Lobethal 28, Nairne 20, Langhorne Creek 20, Wistow 18, Strathalbyn 16, Hahndorf 16, Woodside 14, Bremer Callington 12.

Round 10 (13/12/25 - home team named first)

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek 

Lobethal v Wistow

Bremer Callington v Hahndorf

Nairne v Woodside