Strathalbyn have made their way into the top-four on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following their hard-fought 17-run win against Bremer/Callington at Callington on Saturday. The home side won the toss and sent the Stallions in to bat, and the move paid off early as Strathalbyn lost Matthew Harris (6) and Luke Cousins (17) to slip to 2/29. This brought Mark Abbott and Matt Abbott together in what would prove to be a match-winning partnership. Mark (49 from 73 balls) and Matt (56 from 102 balls) put on a 100-run stand for the third wicket before the Cobras hit back at the end of the innings as Strathalbyn lost 7/34 to finish their 45 overs on 9/163. Nathan Fitzgerald was the pick of the Cobras bowlers as he snared 4/32 (9). Fitzgerald now has 14 wickets at an average of 10.93 to sit equal top of the AEHCA wicket taking list. He was well supported by Amit Maina (2/27) and Brad Clements (2/38). Alex Durbidge opened up well for the home side as he made 33 from 54 balls. Steady wickets continued to fall though, as the Cobras looked done and dusted at 7/91 as Maina joined Johnny Fitzgerald. This pair added 29 runs for the eighth wicket before Maina departed for 14 and the Cobras were eventually bowled out for 146 in the 45th over. Johnny Fitzgerald finished with 39 not out from 59 balls (4 x 4’s). Five Stallions bowlers claimed wickets with all-rounder Harris the pick with 3/26 (9). Danny Horan (2/15) and skipper Brayden Gaiter (2/33) were the other multiple wicket takers. 

Lobethal consolidated their position in the top-four with a solid four-wicket victory at home against Langhorne Creek. The ‘Creeks’ batted first after being sent in, and they were under early pressure at 3/25. The fall of the third wicket saw Ben Warren come to the crease and he wasted no time in trying to get the innings back on track as he made 62 from 66 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Unfortunately no other Langhorne Creek batsman could surpass 20 as they ended their 45 overs on 8/150. Matt Martin bowled an excellent opening spell to claim 2/17 from his nine-over spell. Mitch Weeks (2/25) was also excellent, while Dave Huxter chimed in with 2/44 (9). Lobethal’s batting stocks were boosted by Adelaide University ‘A’ grade player Cooper Luke being available as ‘Uni’ had the bye, but he didn’t last long as he was dismissed by Troy Blackwell (2/35) for just 1 (11 balls). This brought Martin and Ben Matthews together in a crucial partnership for the second wicket worth 72 runs before Matthews went for 33. Martin went on to top score with 46 (71 balls) and Weeks chipped in with 25 (24 balls) as ‘Lobey’ brought up victory in the 41st over. James Dawson was the pick of the Langhorne Creek bowlers with 3/26 from six overs. 

Ladder-leader Nairne flexed their muscles again with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over local rival Hahndorf at Hahndorf Oval. It was Nairne’s fifth win on the trot after losing in round one. The home side won the toss and decided to bat first, and that was as good as things got for the Magpies unfortunately, as they were rolled for just 50 inside 29 overs. Benny Montgomerie (12) and Henry Baker (11) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. The Razorbacks only needed four bowlers with Brodie Clarke (1/10), Matt Hein (1/12) and Luke Harrowfield (3/24) dismissing half the Magpies lineup. The other half was left to tall seamer Mitch Hein who captured the barely believable figures of 5/4 from 8.2 overs (including four maidens)! It was Hein’s sixth five-wicket haul for Nairne. The reigning premier wasted no time in knocking off the runs for the loss of three wickets in the 13th over. Luke Timmins (18 not out) and Mitch Hein (15 not out) were there at the end for the Razorbacks. Michael Shanahan took all three wickets for the Magpies as he finished with 3/32 from six overs.

Woodside won their second game in a row with a four-wicket victory at home over Macclesfield. ‘Maccy’ batted first with skipper David Caddle (37) and Connor Moore (31) the leading scorers as the Redbacks compiled 146 before being bowled out in the 41st over. The Woodside bowlers shared the wickets around with Steve Ball (3/52), Jeremy Druwitt (2/20) and Nick Johns jnr (2/32) the leading wicket takers for their side. Woodside were in all sorts of strife in the run chase as they fell to 5/48 with Brad Collins (28) the best of the top order. Lachlan Barrett was bowling an inspired spell for the Redbacks as he took the first five wickets to fall on his way to 5/17 from his nine overs. A 29-run partnership between the hard-hitting Sam Pullen and skipper Shane Collins gave the Warriors some hope before Collins was dismissed with 70 runs still required for victory with Chris Baschiera joining Pullen. This pair worked beautifully together as their partnership built nicely with ‘Maccy’ striving hard for a breakthrough. It wasn’t to be for the Redbacks as Pullen and Baschiera put on an unbroken stand worth 72 runs for the seventh wicket to get their side across the line in the 35th over. Pullen finished on 66 not out from 73 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Baschiera played a great support role with 24 not out from 43 balls (4 x 4’s). 

Ladder (after round 6)

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

Round 7 fixture (home team named first)

Langhorne Creek v Bremer/Callington 

Strathalbyn v Hahndorf 

Nairne v Macclesfield

Woodside v Lobethal