Strathalbyn moved back inside the top-four following a tight 11-run victory over Bremer/Callington at Callington during round 11 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) on Saturday. The Stallions batted first with Luke Cousins (39 from 76 balls) the only batsman in the top-eight to reach double figures as ‘Strath’ slumped to 9/72. All appeared lost until number 11 Lachlan Cutting joined Kane Gaiter. This pair put on an invaluable last wicket partnership worth 52 runs with Cutting (2) surviving 25 balls before being dismissed. Kane Gaiter was the star with 46 not out from 83 balls (9x 4’s). Graydon Brand bowled an excellent spell to snare 4/8 (8), while Nathan Fitzgerald continued his great season with 3/18 (9). Alex Durbidge chimed in with 2/18 (5.5).The Cobras started solidly with a 26-run opening partnership between Johnny Fitzgerald (10) and Jai McMurtrie (30). Once the opening partnership was broken, steady wickets fell with Bremer/Callington in all sorts of trouble at 6/46. Jamesson Kelly (23) and Bradley Clements (18 not out) battled hard but ultimately the Cobras came up short, bowled out in the 30th over for 113. Skipper Brayden Gaiter took 4/31, giving him 21 wickets for the season, while Matt Abbott snared 3/34 (9). 

Nairne consolidated their position in the top-four with a comfortable 73-run win against Hahndorf at Nairne. The Razorbacks batted first and posted a solid total of 6/212 from their 45 overs with Robert Crook (59 from 82 balls), Brodie Clarke (54 not out from 66 balls) and Zac Llewellyn (39 from 42 balls) the main contributors. Former Razorback Michael Harden (2/49) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Magpies. Hahndorf battled hard but were never really in the run chase as they were bowled out in the 40th over for 139. Henry Hassold (25), Greg Hassold (23), and Henry Baker (20) were the only Hahndorf batsmen to reach 20. Six Nairne bowlers took wickets with left-arm spinner Nick Williams (3/14) the chief wicket taker. He was well supported by Chad Harrop (2/20) and Jack May (2/28). 

Langhorne Creek continued their undefeated season with a convincing seven-wicket win at home against Macclesfield. The Redbacks batted first and compiled what appeared a competitive total of 9/165 from their 45 overs. The innings was underpinned by a patient half century from Tom Filsell (50 from 106 balls). Tom Keough (25), Kieran O’Connell (20), David Caddle (19), and Josh Lewis-Burns (19) also made handy contributions. Veteran Ben Warren wound back the clock to snare 5/28 from his nine over spell. Langhorne Creek wasted no time in knocking off the total with Brodie O’Dea (52 from 59 balls), James Dawson (48 not out from 62 balls), and Jordan Whiting (32 from 26 balls) doing the damage for the Tigers as the winning runs were brought up with 20 overs to spare. 

Reigning premier Lobethal remained in second spot on the AEHCA ladder following a thrilling five-run win against local rival Woodside. The Tigers batted first with skipper Mitch Weeks leading from the front with a top-scoring knock of 67 from 76 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Daniel Norsworthy made 37 (65 balls) and Matt Martin added a handy 21 (22 balls) down the order as Lobethal reached 184 before being bowled out in the 39th over. Shane Druwitt was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers with the fine figures of 4/17 (7). Nick Johns (2/33), Jacob Moller (2/47), and Jeremy Druwitt (1/13) were the other wicket takers. Woodside got off to a disastrous start in the run chase with both openers back in the shed with the score at 2/1, before Tommy Baldock (15) and Dave Wescombe (29) joined with Brad Collins to get the Warriors back on track at 3/87. A middle order collapse of 3/2 once again put Lobethal back on top as Collins continued his defiant knock. Jeremy Druwitt chimed in with an important knock of 33 (56 balls) as he and Collins added 56 runs for the seventh wicket before Collins went for 76 (103 balls). Lobethal held their nerve to restrict Woodside to 9/179. Weeks completed a fine all-round double as he took 3/40 (9), while Cam Winen bowled a miserly spell of 2/15 (8). 

Ladder - after round 11

Langhorne Creek 40, Lobethal 30, Nairne 28, Strathalbyn 24, Macclesfield 22, Bremer/Callington 18, Woodside 12, Hahndorf 2. 

Round 12 fixtures (14/1/23) - home team named first

Hahndorf v Woodside

Lobethal v Bremer/Callington

Macclesfield v Nairne

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek