Nairne made it three wins on the trot after defeating Bremer Callington by three wickets during round six action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Callington yesterday. The Cobras batted first and were in a good position at 2/103 with Alex Durbidge playing a dominant innings of 77 from 93 balls (11 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Unfortunately Durbidge received little support with just Graydon Brand (14) and Alfie Wenk (10) reaching double figures as Bremer Callington were bowled out for 133 in the 43rd over. Zac Llewellyn was the star with the ball for the Razorbacks with 5/15 from 4.2 overs. Caleb Walker (3/23) and Brodie Clarke (1/7) were the other wicket takers for Nairne. The Razorbacks run chase didn’t start well as they slumped to 5/43 and an upset appeared on the cards as Chad Harrop (17) joined Luke Timmins in an important 48-run stand for the sixth wicket. Once Timmins was dismissed for 43 (62 balls), Nairne were once again in strife at 7/98, still 36 runs from victory. Darren Milton (16 not out) and Tom May (11 not out) held their nerve to see their side over the line in the 37th over. Ryder Dolman (2/25) and Durbidge (2/37) were the leading wicket takers for the Cobras.

Strathalbyn won their second game in a row after defeating Hahndorf by six wickets at Strathalbyn yesterday. Hahndorf batted first and their innings never got going as they found themselves at 9/93 with last pair Hudson Judd and Mitchell Bannister at the crease. This pair put their heads down and added 60 runs for the 10th wicket to raise their sides total to 153. Bannister made 31 (25 balls), while Hudson Judd finished with 26 not out (33 balls). Five Stallions bowlers took wickets including Matty Roberts (2/16), Lachlan Cutting (2/28) and Kane Gaiter (2/43). Strathalbyn had plenty of contributors in their run chase with Matt Harris (27 not out), Ashley Medhurst (17 not out), Nathan Pelle (16) and Mark Abbott (15) all making handy contributions. But it was experienced opener Luke Cousins who was the standout performer with 70 from 89 balls (10 x 4’s) as the Stallions cruised to victory in the 38th over. Hudson Judd completed a good day personally with figures of 3/16 off six overs for the Magpies. 

Langhorne Creek remained undefeated after a sixth consecutive victory, this time by 83 runs at Macclesfield. The Tigers batted first and posted a good score of 7/204 from their 45 overs. The innings was set up first by Jaspa Tonkin and then finished off by Troy Blackwell with both making valuable half-centuries. Tonkin made 59 from 86 balls (8 x 4’s), while Blackwell finished with a hard-hitting 53 not out from 47 balls (6 x 4’s). Luke Jones (2/34) and Joe Lions (2/38) were the multiple wicket takers for the Redbacks. Kieran O’Connell (27) and Lachie Barrett added 54 runs for the second wicket as ‘Maccy’ reached 1/66. That was as good as it got for the home side as they lost their last 9/55 to be bowled out for 121. Barrett stood out like a beacon for Macclesfield with 55 not out. Ben Warren (3/6) and Daniel Kropp (3/22) were the main destroyers for Langhorne Creek.

Reigning premiers Lobethal got back on the winners list with a 42-run home win against local rival Woodside. ‘Lobey’ batted first and was in early trouble at 2/10 before skipper Mitch Weeks and Jeremy Hackett came together to add 60 runs for the third wicket. Weeks top scored with 50 (53 balls) and Hackett went on to make 40 (70 balls). Sam Graeber (23) and Lachlan Bates (20) chimed in with useful contributions to lift the Tigers to a score of 174 before being bowled out in the 41st over. Chris Baschiera was the best of the Warriors bowlers with figures of 4/17 (8.1) and he was well supported by Nick Johns (3/20) and Harrison Reid (3/43). James Bradley (32), Brad Collins (24) and Trent Young (22) made handy contributions for Woodside, but no batsman could push on to make the big score required as Woodside were bowled out in the 42nd over for 132. Six Lobethal bowlers took wickets including Dave Huxter (2/11), Hackett (2/31) and Lachlan Elsworthy (2/37).

Ladder (after round 6)

Langhorne Creek 24, Lobethal 20, Strathalbyn 16, Macclesfield 12, Nairne 12, Woodside 8, Hahndorf 4, Bremer Callington 0.

Round 7 fixtures (home teams named first)  

Bremer Callington v Strathalbyn

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Macclesfield 

Nairne v Woodside