Nairne assured themselves of finals action next month after a comfortable eight-wicket win over Lobethal during round 15 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Nairne yesterday. Lobethal batted first and were in all sorts of trouble at 7/72, before Torsten Skinner (28) joined Sam Graeber in a 72-run eighth wicket stand to lift their side to a total of 169. Graeber top scored with an important 66 from 62 balls (11 x 4’s, 1 x 6). All six Nairne bowlers took wickets with Caleb Walker (2/23), Brodie Clarke (2/28), Chad Harrop (2/32) and Ryan Williams (2/60) the multiple wicket takers. After losing an early wicket, Nairne consolidated with a 120-run second-wicket stand between Thomas Fiebiger and Luke Timmins. Fiebiger top scored with 68 (106 balls), while Timmins made 60 not out (101 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 41st over. 

Hahndorf consolidated their spot in the top-four with a 77-run win over Strathalbyn yesterday. The Magpies batted first and put up a competitive 9/221 with skipper Dan Jenner (54), Ty Watson (39), Paul Allegretto (32) and Sam Williams (25) all contributing. Tyler Smith (3/31) and Brayden Gaiter (2/51) were the leading wicket takers for the Stallions. Strathalbyn were never in the run chase as they were bowled out in the 40th over for 144. Ash Medhurst (44), Gaiter (22) and Nick Evenden (20) were the leading run scorers for Strathalbyn, while Hudson Judd (4/24), Watson (3/31) and Curtis Montgomery (2/27) were the main wicket takers for the Magpies.  

Langhorne Creek all but secured a top-two spot after defeating Wistow by 35 runs at Langhorne Creek yesterday. The home side batted first and were soon in trouble at 2/9. Adam Clements joined Daniel Kropp to add 53 runs for the third wicket before Clements was dismissed for 35 (38 balls). Kropp continued on to top score with 76 (108 balls) as the Creeks posted 7/178 from their 45 overs. Connor Burgess was the pick of the Wistow bowlers with figures of 3/18 (6). Wistow slumped to 5/65 in the run chase as skipper Harry Burgess joined Tim Chynoweth (34) at the crease. This pair put on an important 67 runs for the sixth wicket to lift their side to 5/132 and the Echidnas were now favourites. Unfortunately, the run out of Burgess for 32 (47) precipitated a collapse of 5/11 to see Wistow bowled out for 143 in the 39th over. Langhorne Creek opening bowler Troy Blackwell finished with the excellent figures of 4/19 (8), while Kropp (2/19) and Dan Cleggett (2/22) chipped in with a couple of wickets each.

Woodside moved up to fifth spot on the ladder after a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Bremer Callington at Woodside. The Cobras batted first and could only manage 116 before being bowled out in the 37th over. Hamish Wohlschlager (34) and Michael Kudra (28) were the only batsmen to get going for the Cobras. Jeremy Druwitt (4/41) and Chris Baschiera (3/24) were the leading lights with the ball for the Warriors. Woodside were under early pressure at 3/36 with Nathan Fitzgerald (3/28) leading the charge for the Cobras. Veteran Dave Wescombe joined opening batsman Noah Bell (24 not out) to steady the ship through an unbeaten 81-run fourth-wicket stand to see their side home in the 21st over. Wescombe top scored with a quickfire 61 not out from 42 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). 

Ladder (after round 15)

Lobethal 44, Langhorne Creek 44, Nairne 36, Hahndorf 32, Woodside 22, Wistow 22, Bremer Callington 20, Strathalbyn 20.

Round 16 (21/2/26 - home team named first)

Hahndorf v Langhorne Creek

Lobethal v Woodside 

Wistow v Bremer Callington

Strathalbyn v Nairne