Reigning premier Lobethal won their third game in a row to move up to third spot on the ladder after defeating Strathalbyn by five wickets during round four action in the 2024/25 Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Strathalbyn yesterday. The Stallions batted first and were in all sorts of trouble as they slumped to 6/50 with Dave Huxter (3/18) and Matt Martin (3/24) doing the damage with the ball for the Tigers. Riley Brook and his captain Brayden Gaiter resurrected the innings, putting on 53 runs for the seventh wicket, before Gaiter went for 26 (50 balls). Tyson Roberts (29 not out) and Brook (46) then put on 51 for the eighth wicket as Strathalbyn reached 8/158 from their 45 overs. Lobethal skipper Mitch Weeks got his team off to a great start with a hard-hitting 55 from just 36 balls (11 x 4’s), while Lachy Bates (41 not out) and Steve Huxter (16 not out) finished the game off in the 32nd over. Kane Gaiter (2/24) and Matthew Harris (2/28) were the multiple wicket takers for Strathalbyn.

Woodside won their second game in a row to slip into the top-four after beating ladder-leaders Hahndorf by seven wickets yesterday. The Magpies struggled throughout their innings as they were bowled out inside 25 overs for just 112. Jack Phelan (38 not out off 37 balls) and Sam Williams (28 off 30) were the only Hahndorf bowlers to pass 20. Shane Druwitt bowled an excellent spell for the Warriors to snare 4/12 (7) and he was well supported by Jeremy Druwitt (4/46) and Chris Baschiera (2/25). After being in early trouble at 2/19, Trent Young (27) and Dave Wescome put on 58 for the third wicket. Wescombe went on to top score with 63 not out from 47 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) with the winning runs coming up in just the 20th over. Ryan Trafford-Walker (1/15), Bradey Judd (1/19) and Hudson Judd (1/27) were the wicket takers for Hahndorf. 

Bremer Callington won their second game of the season following a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Macclesfield at Callington. ‘Maccy’ batted first and the Cobras were all over them from the start as they were bowled out for just 52. Nathan Fitzgerald took 4/8, including a hattrick, and he was well supported by Johnny Fitzgerald (2/5), Graydon Brand (2/11) and Jai McMurtrie (2/22). Bremer Callington made light work of the run chase as they knocked off the target in the 11th over. Nathan Fitzgerald (26 not out) and Alex Durbidge (19) were the leading run scorers for the Cobras.

Langhorne Creek consolidated their position in the top-four after a three-wicket win at home against Nairne. The Razorbacks batted first with Luke Timmins (42), Zac Llewellyn (32), Shane Kenney (26) and Robert Crook (20) lifting their side to a handy position at 3/132 with nine overs left in their innings. The game changed completely as Troy Blackwell was brought back into the attack. Blackwell removed Timmins and Llewellyn, before claiming a hattrick in what would turn out to be the penultimate over of the innings. Blackwell finished with 5/18 (7) with four of his victims being bowled with the other out LBW. Skipper Adam Clements also bowled a good spell to claim 2/22 (7.5). The run chase was anchored by Langhorne Creek opening batsman Shannon Jones who made 43 (92 balls), while Shane Bown (23) and Daniel Kropp (20) made useful contributions as the winning runs were brought up in the 42nd over. Nick Williams (3/27) and Brodie Clarke (2/31) were the main wicket takers for Nairne.

Ladder (after round 4)

Hahndorf 12, Langhorne Creek 12, Lobethal 12, Woodside 8, Nairne 8, Bremer Callington 8, Strathalbyn 4, Macclesfield 0.

Round 5 fixtures (home team named first)  

Macclesfield v Hahndorf 

Strathalbyn v Bremer Callington

Lobethal v Nairne

Woodside v Langhorne Creek