Reigning premier Lobethal got their quest for a third consecutive ‘A’ grade flag off to an excellent start with a dominant round one victory against Nairne as the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association competition got underway on Saturday. Nairne won the toss and batted first but they were under pressure throughout their innings, with only Brodie Clarke (18) and Zac Llewellyn (17) reaching double figures as they were bowled out for just 78. Six Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Matt Martin leading the way with 4/29 (9), while new recruit Jeremy Hackett snared 2/12 from his nine overs. The Tigers knocked off the total in the 18th over to complete a seven-wicket victory. Lachlan Bates (28) and Hackett (19) were the leading run scorers for Lobethal. Tom May took 2/13 (4) for the Razorbacks.

Strathalbyn started their season with an excellent four-wicket win against Woodside on Saturday. Woodside looked the winner as the Stallions slumped to 6/87 chasing the Warriors' handy total of 196. Nick Johns (3/45) and Dave Wescombe (2/23) had done the early damage for the Warriors before Kane Gaiter joined Matt Harris at the crease. This pair put on a match-winning stand worth 110 runs to see their side over the line in the 41st over. Harris top scored with 58 not out (69 balls), while Gaiter finished on 55 not out (60 balls). Earlier, the Warriors batted first after being sent in and got solid contributions from Trent Young (41), Tommy Baldock (32), Shane Collins (31) and James Bradley (27). ‘Strath’ skipper Brayden Gaiter was the standout with the ball for the Stallions with figures of 5/31 (8.4).

Last year's runners-up Langhorne Creek started 2023/24 with a bang after a big 161-run win over Bremer/Callington at Langhorne Creek. The Tigers batted first and posted a big total of 6/282 from their 45 overs. Adam Clements made a hard-hitting 55 not out from just 31 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Jagga Kotz (37 not out) and Jaspa Tonkin (27) made handy contributions. However, the star of the show was opening batsman Daniel Kropp who plundered his first century with a fine 129 from just 102 balls (12 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s). The Cobras were never in the run chase as they were dismissed for 121 in the 38th over. Graydon Brand played a lone hand for Bremer/Callington with 48 from 86 balls (6 x 4’s). Troy Blackwell (3/32), Clements (2/4), Trent Frahn (2/18) and Clem Miller (2/26) were the multiple wicket takers for the Tigers. 

Macclesfield made a good start to the season with a comfortable 151-run win against Hahndorf at ‘Maccy’. The Redbacks posted 7/233 from their 45 overs with Joshua Lewis-Burns (84) and David Schulze (61) leading the way. Lachlan Barrett also chimed in with a handy 26 in a 58-run stand with Schulze. Mitch Bannister was the pick of the Magpies bowlers with 3/29 (8) and he was well supported by Hudson Judd (2/48) and Dean Gore (2/57). Hahndorf were in all sorts of trouble in the run chase early as they slipped to 3/10. The Magpies never recovered with Ben Montgomerie top scoring with 20 as his side were dismissed in the 23rd over for just 82. Lachlan Jones starred with the ball for the Redbacks with the fine figures of 5/26 from six overs. Joseph Lions (2/14) was the other multiple wicket taker for the Redbacks.

Round 2 fixtures (home teams named first)

Bremer/Callington v Macclesfield

Hahndorf v Lobethal

Strathalbyn v Nairne

Woodside v Langhorne Creek