Macclesfield won their third game of the season with a 37-run win over Bremer/Callington at Macclesfield Oval during round 11 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The game was reduced to 30-overs per side due to the wet weather as ‘Maccy’ won the toss and decided to bat first. All five Redbacks batsmen reached double figures as they posted a very handy score of 3/181. Lachlan Barrett was the standout with 64 not out including four boundaries and four sixes. He was well supported by Kieran O’Connell (35) and skipper David Caddle (28 not out). Sandeep Huda (1/23), Graydon Brand (1/26) and Amit Maina (1/33) were the wicket takers for Bremer/Callington. The Cobras lost opener Alex Durbidge (10) early before Ajay Pundir (42) and Brand added 50 runs for the second wicket. Huda and Brand tried to lift the run rate but ultimately the Cobras finished their 30 overs on 2/144. Huda top scored with 44 not out (49 balls), while Brand ended up with 39 not out (59 balls). Luke Jones (1/14) and Joe Lions (1/19) were the wicket takers for Macclesfield.

Reigning premier Nairne won their 10th game in a row with a low-scoring 46-run win at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. Wet weather late in the week made pitch preparation difficult so it was going to be tough going for the batsmen and so it proved. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first and they were in early trouble at 5/34 before veterans Luke Harrowfield and Jarrad Tait came together. The experienced duo put on a valuable 30 runs for the sixth wicket before Harrowfield departed for 20 (48 balls). Tait made a hard-hitting 27 from just 22 balls as Nairne were eventually bowled out for 100 in the 39th over. Opening bowler Troy Blackwell snared excellent figures of 3/4 (6.2) and he was well supported by Darcy Paech with 3/8 (6). Langhorne Creek got off to a horror start in their run chase as they crashed to 5/11 with young Nairne opening bowler Brodie Clarke doing most of the damage with 4/19 from 6.3 overs. Brayden Frost battled hard to top score with 14, but he was the only ‘Creeks’ batsman to reach double figures as the home side were rolled for just 54 in the 25th over. Mitch Hein was the other multiple wicket taker for the Razorbacks with a miserly spell of 2/12 from his nine overs. 

Woodside consolidated their spot in the top-four with a comfortable seven-wicket win at home against Strathalbyn. ‘Strath’ won the toss and decided to bat first and they got off to a reasonable start with an opening stand of 33 runs between Luke Cousins (16) and Matthew Harris (15). Steven Schofield battled hard to top score with 24 (69 balls) but there were not too many other contributions as the Stallions were bowled out for just 92 in the 41st over. Jeremy Druwitt was the chief destroyer for the Warriors as he took his best figures for the season with 4/21 (8.2). Charlie McDonough (2/12) and Harrison Reid (2/24) were the other multiple wicket takers for Woodside. The Warriors wasted no time in knocking off the small target as they made the runs in the 22nd over for the loss of just three wickets. Tommy Baldock top scored with 39 not out from 57 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Brad Collins contributed a handy 17 from 25 balls (2 x 4’s). Strathalbyn skipper Brayden Gaiter (2/35) and Jack Roberts (1/31) were the wicket takers for ‘Strath’.

Lobethal won their second game on the trot following their five-wicket win against Hahndorf at Lobethal Oval to stay in third spot on the AEHCA ladder with seven rounds remaining in the season. The game was reduced to 41-overs per side as Hahndorf won the toss and elected to bat first. The Magpies struggled their way to 9/130 with veterans Greg Hassold (35) and Andrew Baker (25) top scoring. Mitch Weeks (3/18) and Cam Winen (3/33) were the multiple wicket takers for Lobethal. After losing opener Ben Matthews (6) early, Matt Martin (39) and Sam Graeber (13) added 45 for the second wicket. Four quick wickets fell as Lobethal slipped to 5/80 and Hahndorf had a bit of a ‘sniff’. It wasn’t to be for the Magpies as Weeks (33 not out) and Sam Martin (14 not out) combined for an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership worth 51 runs to see the Tigers home in the 33rd over. Ryan Trafford-Walker was the pick of the Hahndorf bowlers with figures of 3/22 from his nine overs. 

Ladder (after round 11)

Nairne 40, Woodside 28, Lobethal 28, Langhorne Creek 24, Strathalbyn 20, Hahndorf 16, Macclesfield 12, Bremer/Callington 8.

Round 12 fixture (home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Woodside

Macclesfield v Lobethal

Bremer/Callington v Hahndorf

Nairne v Strathalbyn