Strathalbyn has hit form at the right time of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season after defeating reigning premier Lobethal by six wickets in their round 17 clash at Lobethal on Saturday. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Stallions, while on the flipside, reigning premier Lobethal has now lost three games in a row. The Tigers batted first on Saturday and got off to a great start with skipper Mitch Weeks and Ben Matthews adding 108 runs for the first wicket before Matthews departed for 48 (86 balls). Weeks continued on to top score with 59 (93 balls) as ‘Lobey’ finished on 7/174 from their 45 overs. Lachlan Cutting (2/23), Kane Gaiter (2/33) and Brayden Gaiter (2/35) were the leading wicket takers for the Stallions. After losing two early wickets to be 2/32, Steven Schofield (26) and Mark Abbott joined forces in a 63-run third wicket stand. Abbott continued on his merry way to finish with a match-winning 94 not out from 123 balls (10 x 4’s, 1 x 6). It was Abbott’s fifth half-century of the season and took his side to victory with six wickets and 17 balls to spare. Jeremy Hackett (2/32) was the leading wicket taker for Lobethal.  

Langhorne Creek clinched the minor premiership with a high-scoring 120-run win at Nairne on Saturday. Langhorne Creek skipper Brodie O’Dea won the toss and decided to bat and he led from the front with a brilliant century. O’Dea scored 147 from 106 balls with 17 boundaries and seven sixes and he was well supported by James Dawson who scored 76 from 78 balls (11 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). This pair added 170 runs for the second wicket, while Daniel Kropp (46 not out) and Ben Warren (39) made good contributions as the visitors posted a massive 5/341 from their 45 overs. Nick Williams (2/44) and William Brooks (2/76) were the multiple wicket takers for Nairne. It was always going to be a tough ask for the Razorbacks and it proved to be as Williams (46 not out), Tom May (27) and Shane Kenney (22) top scored with their side bowled out for 221 in the 42nd over. Daniel Cleggett (3/36), Dawson (3/68) and Brad Clements (2/22) were the main wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. 

Hahndorf won their third game on the trot following a six-wicket win against Bremer Callington at Callington on Saturday. The Cobras batted first and posted a competitive 7/156 from their 45 overs. Alfie Wenk (45), Johnny Fitzgerald (44) and Graydon Brand (22) were the leading run scorers for the home team. Ryan Trafford-Walker (2/19), Bradey Judd (2/33) and Paul Allegretto (2/34) were the best of the Magpies bowlers. Hahndorf put together a real team effort with the bat as Bradey Judd (34), Ben Montgomerie (33 not out), Daniel Jenner (27 not out) and Allegretto (22) saw their side to victory in the 38th over. 

Woodside won their fifth game of the season after defeating Macclesfield by 119 runs at ‘Maccy’ on Saturday. The Warriors batted first with Thomas Rooney (40), Dave Wescombe (31) and Chris Baschiera (20) leading the way as they posted 9/179 from their 45 overs. A whopping 37 extras also helped add to the Warriors total. Luke Jones led the way with the ball for the Redbacks with 4/34 (9), while Lachie Barrett (2/21) and Kieran O’Connell (2/42) also chipped in. The Redbacks run chase started poorly as they slumped to 4/19 with Tom Filsell (17) and Connor Moore (10) the only players to reach double figures. They recovered slightly to reach 4/50 before losing 6/10 to be rolled for just 60 in the 32nd over. Shane Druwitt was the standout bowler for Woodside with 5/14 from 7.4 overs. Druwitt has taken 21 wickets at an average of 16.38 this season. Baschiera (3/4) and Sam Bradford (2/7) were the other wicket takers for Woodside.  

Ladder (after round 18)

Langhorne Creek 56, Lobethal 50, Strathalbyn 46, Nairne 42, Macclesfield 26, Woodside 24, Hahndorf 22, Bremer Callington 6.

Round 18 fixtures (home team named first)  

Woodside v Hahndorf

Lobethal v Bremer Callington

Macclesfield v Nairne 

Langhorne Creek v Strathalbyn