Strathalbyn consolidated top position on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder with a two-wicket victory at Langhorne Creek on Saturday in round 10 action. The home side won the toss and elected to bat first and they were always under pressure as they could only muster a score of 96 before being bowled out in the 35th over. Ben Warren (24) was the only Tigers batsman to pass 20 as they lost their last nine wickets for just 58 runs. Matt Hein continued his excellent season with the ball as he took 5/23 from seven overs. It was Hein’s second five-wicket haul for the Stallions and now sees him sit atop the wicket taking list in the association with 22 wickets at an average of just 9.00. Danny Horan (3/31) was the other multiple wicket taker for the Stallions. Strathalbyn’s run chase got off to the worst possible start with Warren (4/30) taking three wickets in the second over of the innings to leave the Stallions in deep trouble at 3/3. Matt Roberts (19) and Matt Abbott (35) then steadied the ship with a 45-run fourth wicket stand and despite slipping to 7/82 when Abbott was dismissed, Strathalbyn knocked off the runs in the 36th over.

Bremer-Callington won their second game for the season with a comprehensive 55-run win at Mount Barker. The Cobras batted first and got off to a good start as Jeff Garrett and Mitchell Crisp added 44 for the first wicket before Garrett was dismissed for 27. Crisp continued on and was joined in an innings defining partnership of 75 for the fourth wicket by Johnny Fitzgerald (44 from 34 balls). Crisp finished with 64 (129 balls), his highest ‘A’ grade score as the Cobras managed 5/185 from their 45 overs. Deklan Porter (2/31) and Simon Turk (2/37) were the multiple wicket takers for Mount Barker. The Kookaburras were never in the run chase as they slumped to 6/82 with only Wayne Buckland (46) and Chris Paterson (38) showing any real resistance. Buckland and Ishan Razik breathed some life into the match with a 48-run seventh wicket stand before the last four ‘Burras wickets fell for no score as they were bowled out in the 33rd over for 130. Arsalan Eubaid (3/4), Johnny Fitzgerald (2/17) and Crisp (2/39) were the chief destroyers for the Cobras.

Wistow had the bye while the Lobethal vs Hahndorf and Nairne vs Woodside matches were abandoned due to the Cudlee Creek bushfire on Friday. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible event. The competition now takes a break over the Christmas holiday period with the season recommencing on the 11th of January.