Nairne continued their good recent form with a thrilling one-run win against reigning premier Lobethal during round 15 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Lobethal yesterday. The Razorbacks batted first and posted a competitive total of 6/169 from their 45 overs. Luke Timmins (36), Shane Kenney (24), Robert Crook (22) and Zac Llewellyn (21 not out) were the major contributors for the visitors. Jeremy Hackett (2/29) was the leading wicket taker for Lobethal. The home side started poorly in their run chase as they slumped to 4/24 in the seventh over with opening bowler Caleb Walker doing all the damage for Nairne on his way to excellent figures of 5/25 from nine overs. Ben Matthews (49 from 93 balls) and Daniel Norsworthy got their team back in the game with an excellent partnership, while Lachlan Elsworthy (20) also chipped in. It came down to the last over with Kenney dismissing Norsworthy for 57 (102 balls) with three balls left in the game to claim a nail-biting win for the Razorbacks. 

Strathalbyn has consolidated their finals spot with a solid five-wicket win against Woodside at Callington. Woodside batted first and they were in all sorts of trouble at 5/38 before Chris Baschiera (43), Tyson Eden (29) and Sam Bradford (26) rallied to lift the Warriors to 9/183 from their 45 overs. Brayden Gaiter (3/31) and Matthew Harris (2/37) were the multiple wicket takers for the Stallions. The Strathalbyn run chase was set up by a 79-run second wicket stand between Mark Abbott (57 from 108) and Luke Cousins (40 from 62). Kane Gaiter made a quickfire 39 (33 balls), while Harris chimed in with 19 not out (19 balls) as the winning runs came up with 10 balls to spare. Bradford (2/33) and Harrison Reid (2/44) were the multiple wicket takers for Woodside. 

Langhorne Creek are a step closer to wrapping up the double chance after a comfortable 86-run win against Bremer Callington at Langhorne Creek. The Tigers won the toss and decided to bat first with Daniel Kropp and Jaspa Tonkin adding 43 runs for the first wicket before Tonkin went for 21 (35 balls). Kropp was joined by James Dawson in a 95-run partnership with Kropp scoring 74 from 87 balls. Dawson went on to top score with 84 from 101 balls (8 x 4’s) as the Creeks posted 5/239. The Cobras battled hard to bat out their 45 overs to finish with 6/153. Graydon Brand continued his good season to top score with 58 (92 balls), while Michael Heath made 22 (22 balls). Langhorne Creek used nine bowlers with Ben Warren (2/20) the chief wicket taker. 

Hahndorf won their fourth game of the season with a tight 12-run win at Macclesfield yesterday. The Magpies batted first with their innings set up by an 87-run second wicket union between Sam Williams and Lachlan Huxtable. Williams top scored with 51 from 68 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Huxtable made 39 (104 balls). Bradey Judd (21 not out) chipped in with useful runs as Hahndorf finished all out for 184 in the 45th over. Harrison Farrelly (3/24), Kieran O’Connell (2/16) and Luke Jones (2/38) were the leading wicket takers for ‘Maccy’. The Redbacks were in early trouble as they slipped to 3/42 before Lachlan Barrett and O’Connell got their side back in the game with a 96-run stand. Barrett top scored with 58 (107 balls) and O’Connell finished with 55 not out (87 balls) but ultimately their team came up short at 5/172. Hudson Judd (2/23) and Ryan Trafford-Walker (2/34) were the major wicket takers for Hahndorf. 

Ladder (after round 15)

Lobethal 50, Langhorne Creek 48, Nairne 42, Strathalbyn 38, Macclesfield 22, Woodside 20, Hahndorf 14, Bremer Callington 6.

Round 16 fixtures (home team named first)  

Hahndorf v Lobethal

Langhorne Creek v Woodside

Macclesfield v Langhorne Creek

Nairne v Strathalbyn