Reigning premier Nairne moved two games clear on top of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following their low-scoring 24-run win at Strathalbyn during round eight action on Saturday. Nairne batted first and struggled throughout their innings with Shane Kenney (22) the only Razorbacks batsman to pass 20 as they were bowled out for just 97 in the 39th over. All five Strathalbyn bowlers took two wickets each, Ben Cousins (2/11), Matt Abbott (2/16), Tim Dellatorre (2/18), Brayden Gaiter (2/18) and Matt Harris (2/31). The Strathalbyn run chase couldn’t have started any worse as Nairne opening bowlers Brodie Clarke (3/21) and Mitch Hein (2/10) ran through the top order to have the home side reeling at 5/26. Tyson Roberts (23) and Steven Schofield (21) battled hard to add 29 runs for the sixth wicket and at 5/55, the Stallions were back in the game. It wasn’t to be however, as once Schofield was run out, ‘Strath’ lost their last 5/18 to be bowled out for just 73 in the 41st over. Chad Harrop was the destroyer at the end of the innings with figures of 3/9 (4.4), while Jacob Sadler (1/6) chimed in with the important wicket of Roberts.

Woodside turned in their best performance of the season with a convincing 98-run home win against Langhorne Creek, and in the process moved up to second spot on the ladder. The Warriors batted first and their big score of 7/246 was set up by opening batsman Brad Collins who made a fine 111 from 114 balls. Collins’ innings contained 11 boundaries and five sixes and was his second ‘A’ grade century for Woodside. Collins was well supported by Will Dunstall (31), Dave Wescombe (24) and Jordan Vette (24). Ben Warren (2/35) and Troy Blackwell (2/56) were the multiple wicket takers for the Tigers. Dan Kropp (23) and Shannon Jones (10) got Langhorne Creek off to a reasonable start with a 35-run opening stand before three quick wickets saw the Tigers slip to 3/48. Ben Warren was joined by Jaspa Tonkin and this pair gave their side a fighting chance with a 60-run fourth wicket stand. However, once Warren was dismissed for 32 (27 balls), the Tigers lost their last 7/40 to be bowled out for 148 in the 36th over. Tonkin went on to top score with 42 from 70 balls (4 x 4’s). Five Warriors bowlers took wickets with Brett Krieg (2/20), Harrison Reid (2/23) and Chris Baschiera (2/45) the standouts. 

Hahndorf won their third game of the 2021/22 season following their five-wicket win at home against Bremer/Callington. The win moves the Magpies within a game of the top-four. Bremer/Callington batted first and got off to a poor start as they slumped to 4/33 with Magpies skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker doing most of the damage as he captured 3/26 from his nine over spell. Graydon Brand and Dion Rehn then set about resurrecting the innings as they added a very important 54 runs for the fifth wicket before Rehn departed for 27. Brand continued on to top score with 49, his highest score of the season so far. Handy contributions from Amit Maina (22) and Brad Clements (13) lifted the Cobras to all out 159 in the 44th over. Magpies teenager Liam O’Neil took 3/39, his best ‘A’ grade figures, while Hayden Knappstein (2/24) and Benny Montgomerie (2/32) were the other multiple wicket takers. Hahndorf’s run chase didn’t start well with opening batsmen Lachlan Huxtable (9) and Henry Baker (0) dismissed early on. This brought veterans Ben Judd and Greg Hassold together for a match winning third wicket partnership with Judd contributing 31 and Hassold 88 not out, his first half century of the season. Trafford-Walker added 17 late in the innings as his side passed their target with more than 10 overs to spare. Four Cobras bowlers took wickets with Dion Rehn making his first trip to the bowling crease this season, and walking away with figures of 2/33 from six overs.

Macclesfield won their second game of the season with an upset 82-run win against Lobethal at Summit Sport & Recreation Park (Mount Barker) on Saturday. ‘Maccy’ batted first and compiled 6/161 from their 45 overs before bowling Lobethal out for just 79. Unfortunately at the time of publication, no further details had been supplied.

Ladder (after round 8)

Nairne 28, Woodside 20, Lobethal 20, Strathalbyn 16, Langhorne Creek 16, Hahndorf 12, Bremer/Callington 8, Macclesfield 8.

Round 9 fixture (home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf

Macclesfield v Strathalbyn

Nairne v Lobethal

Bremer/Callington v Woodside