Woodside moved up to second spot on the ladder after a comfortable six-wicket win against Strathalbyn during round 13 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Strathalbyn yesterday. The Stallions batted first and were in trouble at 5/67, with Luke Cousins (32) the only top-five batsman to pass 10 runs. The middle/lower order rallied for ‘Strath’ with vice-captain Matt Harris making 61 not out from 79 balls (4 x 4’s) as the Stallions finished on 7/159. Chris Baschiera (2/33) and Shane Druwitt (2/39) each took two wickets for the Warriors. Woodside lost two early wickets to give Strathalbyn some hope, but that was snuffed out by a 74-run stand between James Bradley (30) and Brad Collins. Collins finished on 88 not out (99 balls), to give him 484 runs at an average of 44 this season, to see his side over the line with 28 balls to spare. Austin Greaves was the leading wicket taker for Strathalbyn with 2/20 from six overs. 

Nairne kept their slim finals hopes alive with a convincing 10-wicket victory over Bremer Callington. The Cobras batted first and got themselves into a good position at 2/103 with Nathan Fitzgerald (43), Graydon Brand (38 not out) and Michael Heath (37) leading the way. The Razorbacks hit back hard, taking 8/55, to bowl Bremer Callington out for 158. Nairne skipper Robert Crook took the average-enhancing figures of 3/0 from two overs, while Caleb Walker (3/24), Chad Harrop (3/29) and Brodie Clarke (1/40) were the other wicket takers. Nairne wasted no time knocking off the target with the winning runs coming up in just the 16th over as Shane Kenney ran riot. Kenney brought up his century from just 45 balls before finishing on 106 not out from 49 balls (10 x 4’s, 9 x 6’s). His opening partner Zac Llewellyn was a willing ally with 50 not out from 45 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6). 

Lobethal continued on their merry way with an 11th win of the season, this time by a whopping 224 runs against Maccclesfield at Lobethal. The Tigers batted first with four players making half centuries. Jeremy Hackett (76 off 42 balls), Steve Huxter (76 off 90), Tanner King (72 not out off 54) and Lachie Bates (58 off 42) lifted ‘Lobey’ to a huge total of 6/356 from their 45 overs. Connor Moore (3/74) was the leading wicket taker for Macclesfield. The Redbacks were never in the run chase as only Tom Filsell (39 not out) and Oliver Llewellyn (34) passed 20 runs with ‘Maccy’ bowled out in the 33rd over for 132. King completed a good day with figures of 3/8 for Lobethal and he was well supported by Mitch Weeks (3/17) and Will Strange (2/27). 

After a couple of losses in a row, Langhorne Creek got back on the winners list with a five-wicket win at home over Hahndorf. The Magpies batted first and it was tough going as they battled their way to 6/123 from their 45 overs. Paul Allegretto (34) and Dan Jenner (27) were the leading scorers for Hahndorf. Shannon Jones (34) and Ben Warren (25) added 48 runs for the first wicket, while skipper Adam Clements chimed in with 20 not out as the winning runs came up in the 36th over. Ryan Trafford-Walker (2/29) was the leading wicket taker for Hahndorf. 

Ladder (after round 13)

Lobethal 44, Woodside 36, Hahndorf 36, Langhorne Creek 36, Nairne 24, Strathalbyn 16, Bremer Callington 12, Macclesfield 4.

Round 14 fixtures (8/2/25)

Hahndorf v Bremer Callington

Macclesfield v Langhorne Creek

Woodside v Lobethal

Strathalbyn v Nairne