Nairne consolidated their spot in the top-four with a thrilling five-run win at Macclesfield during round 12 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) on Saturday. The Razorbacks batted first and posted a competitive 9/182 from their 45 overs. Nairne had plenty of contributors with Luke Timmins (33), Robert Crook (27), Zac Llewellyn (26), Richard Boscence (23), and Jack May (22) all getting starts. Lachlan Barrett continued his excellent season with 3/26 from his nine-over spell, while Joe Lions snared 2/26 (7). Kieran O’Connell, fresh off 100 not out in a T20 match during the week, continued his fine form with a top-scoring 53 for the Redbacks, but at 6/119, Nairne were in the box seat. Craig Lallard (27) joined Barrett to put on 42 runs for the seventh wicket to get ‘Maccy’ back in the game. Barrett eventually went for 35 with Macclesfield bowled out in the 43rd over for 177. Six Nairne bowlers took wickets with Brodie Clarke (3/23) and Nick Williams (2/20) leading the way.

Woodside won their third game of the season after defeating Hahndorf by 62 runs at Hahndorf. The Warriors batted first with Brad Collins scoring his third ‘A’ grade century for Woodside with 106 from 119 balls (13 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Collins received good support from Sam Pullen (50), Craig Medlow (40), and Dave Wescombe (20) as the visitors posted 267 before being bowled out in the 45th over. Henry Hassold took 4/26 (5) for the Magpies. Hahndorf got off to a good start in their run chase with veteran Andrew Baker combining with Daniel Jenner (27) to add 78 for the first wicket. Baker was then joined by Lachlan Huxtable (28) in a 70-run union for the second wicket before Baker went for 75 from 82 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). From 2/148, Hahndorf collapsed to be bowled out for 205 in the final over. Nick Johns (4/35), Chris Baschiera (2/29), and Kelly Angove (2/31) were the leading bowlers for the Warriors.

Langhorne Creek remained undefeated after a tight 17-run win against local rival Strathalbyn. The top-of-the-table ‘Creeks’ made the short trip up the road to ‘Strath’ and decided to bat first. Skipper Brodie O’Dea (29) and Daniel Kropp (55) opened up with a 67-run partnership, while Jordan Whiting (36 from 37 balls) and Ben Warren (35 from 37 balls) lifted the run rate. Riley Tonkin chipped in with 19 not out (24 balls) to lift the Tigers to 7/209. Jake Beerenfels, with 3/35, was the leading wicket taker for the Stallions. ‘Strath’ got off to a good start with Luke Cousins (45) and Matthew Harris (23) putting on 82 for the first wicket. Mark Abbott and Matt Abbott (32) put on 54 runs for the fourth wicket, but a collapse of 7/27 saw the Stallions bowled out in the 45th over for 192. Mark Abbott finished on 54 not out after running out of partners. Jack Humphries (3/37)  Warren (3/42), and Brodie O’Dea (2/19) did all the damage with the ball for Langhorne Creek.

Reigning premier Lobethal remained in second spot on the AEHCA ladder following their comfortable five-wicket win at home against Bremer/Callington. The Cobras batted first and posted 7/152 from their 45 overs with Johnny Fitzgerald top scoring with a patient 53 from 126 balls (3 x 4’s). He was well supported by Nathan Fitzgerald (33 not out from 43 balls) and Dhanushka Abeynayake (27 from 51 balls). Dave Huxter was the standout bowler for the Tigers with 3/30 (9). Lobethal set about the run chase with skipper Mitchell Weeks in an attacking frame of mind. Weeks made 76 from 68 balls (8 x 4’s) and he received good support from Daniel Norsworthy (22 not out) and Sam Graeber (21) as the winning runs came up in the 29th over. Nathan Fitzgerald completed a good all-round game with 3/25 (9) for the Cobras, while Brad Clements took 2/38 (5). 

Ladder - after round 12

Langhorne Creek 44, Lobethal 34, Nairne 32, Strathalbyn 24, Macclesfield 22, Bremer/Callington 18, Woodside 16, Hahndorf 2. 

Round 13 fixtures (28/1/23) - home team named first

Bremer/Callington v Nairne

Langhorne Creek v Woodside

Lobethal v Macclesfield

Strathalbyn v Hahndorf