Strathalbyn made it three wins on the trot after defeating Bremer Callington by seven wickets during round seven action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Callington on Saturday. The Cobras batted first and got themselves into a good position at 1/72 with Alfie Wenk (31) and Hayden Massey (25) putting on 67 runs for the second wicket. The Stallions hit back hard, amazingly taking the next nine wickets for just 10 runs, as Bremer Callington were bundled out for 82. It was the ‘Gaiter/Harris’ show for ‘Strath’ with Kane Gaiter (4/8), Brayden Gaiter (3/9) and Matt Harris (3/12) doing all the damage with the ball. The Stallions wasted little time knocking off the runs with Luke Cousins (35), Matty Roberts (19 not out) and Nathan Pelle (17) bringing up the winning runs in just 17 overs. Johnny Fitzgerald (2/4) and Wenk (1/41) were the wicket takers for the Cobras. 

Nairne won their fourth game in a row to jump inside the top-four after a comfortable 88-run win against Woodside at Nairne on Saturday. The Razorbacks batted first with Tom May top scoring with a hard-hitting 68 from 57 balls (8 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). He was well supported by Zac Llewellyn with a patient 40 from 96 balls, skipper Robert Crook (29) and Luke Timmins (23) as Nairne posted a total of 212. Nick Johns was the leading wicket taker for Woodside with figures of 4/48 from eight overs. The Warriors were never really in the run chase with Trent Young (33) and Tommy Baldock (26) the only batsmen to pass 20. Extras (31) boosted the visitors total to 124 before they were bowled out in the 36th over. Caleb Walker (4/31), Nick Williams (3/12), May (2/30) and Chad Harrop (1/19) were the wicket takers for Nairne. 

Langhorne Creek kept their perfect record this season intact with a six-wicket win at home against Hahndorf. The Magpies batted first with Dan Jenner (37), Bradey Judd (26) and Dean Gore (25) the leading run scorers as Hahndorf finished their 45 overs on 9/156. Darcy Paech (3/20), Troy Blackwell (2/37) and Ben Warren (2/42) were the multiple wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. Daniel Kropp and Jaspa Tonkin gave the Tigers a great start with a 90-run opening stand before Tonkin went for 34 (42 balls). Kropp went on to top score with 81 from 72 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Shannon Jones chipped in with 23 not out (51 balls) with the winning runs coming up in the 30th over. Gore (2/17), Hudson Judd (1/18) and Liam O’Neil (1/18) were the wicket takers for Hahndorf. 

Reigning premier Lobethal won their sixth game of the season with a convincing eight-wicket win at home against Macclesfield. The Redbacks won the toss but that was the only high point of the afternoon as they were bundled out for just 73. Jake Beerenfels (17), Tom Filsell (16) and Luke Jones (16) were the only batsmen to reach double figures for ‘Maccy’. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Zak Varik taking the honours with 5/32 from his nine overs. Varik started the season in the ‘C’ grade before moving up to ‘A2’ and then into the reigning ‘A’ grade premiers lineup on Saturday. Lobethal were keen for an early finish as they knocked off the target in the 10th over with Lachie Bates (39 not out) and Will Zadow (22) leading the way. Connor Moore (2/41) took both wickets for the Redbacks.

Ladder (after round 7)

Langhorne Creek 28, Lobethal 24, Strathalbyn 20, Nairne 16, Macclesfield 12, Woodside 8, Hahndorf 4, Bremer Callington 0.

Round 8 fixtures (home teams named first)  

Bremer Callington v Langhorne Creek

Macclesfield v Hahndorf

Nairne v Lobethal

Strathalbyn v Woodside