Strathalbyn kept their finals chances alive with a comprehensive 89-run win over reigning premier Nairne at Summit Sport & Recreation Park yesterday during round 12 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The game was played as a ‘stand alone’ Sunday fixture and the Stallions won the toss and batted first. Luke Cousins (34) and Matt Harris got ‘Strath’ off to a good start with a 51-run opening stand before three quick wickets fell to see them in trouble at 3/56. Harris was joined by Ben Cousins and this pair set about getting the innings back on track with a 99-run fourth wicket partnership before Harris was dismissed for a patient 74 (115 balls). Ben Cousins finished with 39 (58 balls) as the Stallions posted 6/184 from their 45 overs. Jarrad Tait (2/32) was the pick of the Razorbacks bowlers. Nairne struggled in the run chase with Robert Crook (26) and Mitch Hein (20) the only batsmen to reach 20, as the Razorbacks were bowled out for just 95 in the 39th over. Teenager Jack Roberts snared his best ‘A’ grade figures with 3/7 (5.5) and he was well supported by Ben Cousins who completed an excellent all round game with 3/30 (9). Skipper Brayden Gaiter chimed in with 2/26 (9). 

Langhorne Creek consolidated their spot in the top-four with a comfortable five-wicket win at home against Woodside. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first and got off to a reasonable start with Brad Collins (12) and Dave Wescombe (32) putting on 28 for the first wicket. There were useful contributions from Will Dunstall (21), Shane Collins (19) and Jeremy Snoad (14) but no batsman could make the big score required, as the Warriors were bowled out in the 44th over for 123. Tom Whittlesea (3/18), Dan Cleggett (3/40), Darcy Paech (2/11) and Ben Warren (2/26) shared the 10 wickets for the Tigers. Langhorne Creek were relatively untroubled in the run chase as Warren (31), James Dawson (28 not out) and Jordan Whiting (25) saw the home side pass the target with five wickets and 14 overs to spare. Jeremy Druwitt (2/46), Shane Collins (1/8), Chris Baschiera (1/15) and Steve Ball (1/32) were the Warriors wicket takers. 

Bremer/Callington won their third game of the season with a comfortable five-wicket win at home against Hahndorf on Saturday. The Magpies batted first and posted 7/148 from their 45 overs with veteran Andrew Baker leading the way with 52 not out. He was well supported by fellow veteran Greg Hassold (29) and Lachlan Huxtable (29). Brad Clements (3/36), Sandeep Huda (2/29) and Johnny Fitzgerald (1/17) were the wicket takers for the Cobras. Bremer/Callington got off to a good start as Ajay Pundir and Johnny Fitzgerald (16) added 30 runs for the first wicket. Pundir was then joined by Graydon Brand in what would be a match-winning partnership, as the pair combined for an 89-run stand for the second wicket before Pundir was dismissed for 66 (93 balls). Brand continued on to make 44 not out (94 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 39th over. Huxtable (3/28) was the leading wicket taker for the Magpies, while Michael Shanahan (1/21) and Michael Harden (1/24) took the other wickets to fall.

Lobethal won their third game in a row following their 44-run win at Macclesfield on Saturday. The Tigers batted first and compiled a competitive total of 173 before being bowled out in the 42nd over. Six Lobethal batsmen reached double figures with Lachlan Bates top scoring with 43 from 44 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Mitch Weeks chimed in with a quickfire 33 from 27 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Luke Jones (3/42), Connor Moore (2/28) and Kieran O’Connell (2/34) led the way with the ball for the Redbacks. Macclesfield got themselves into a good position at 2/74 in the run chase before they lost their last eight wickets for 55 runs to be bowled out in the 37th over for 129. O’Connell (29) and skipper David Caddle (24) top scored for ‘Maccy’. Mitch Weeks completed a good all round game with figures of 4/34 (9), while Matt Martin was excellent again with the ball as he snared 3/13 (7.4). Martin now has 22 wickets at an average of just 10.77 for the season. Ben Matthews chimed in with 2/13 from five overs. 

The competition will break next weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition with the season to resume on Saturday 29 January.

Ladder (after round 12)

Nairne 40, Lobethal 32, Woodside 28, Langhorne Creek 28, Strathalbyn 24, Hahndorf 16, Bremer/Callington 12, Macclesfield 12.

Round 13 fixture* (home team named first)

Hahndorf v Langhorne Creek

Strathalbyn v Macclesfield

Lobethal v Nairne

Woodside v Bremer/Callington

*Saturday 29 January