Woodside won their third game in a row with a three-wicket win over Langhorne Creek to move up to third spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder during round five action at Woodside yesterday. Langhorne Creek batted first with Ben Koehler hitting a quickfire 61 from 39 balls (9 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) to get the Tigers off to a good start as they reached 0/75 in the 11th over. That’s as good as it got for Langhorne Creek as they lost their last 10 wickets for 64 runs to be bowled out in the 31st over for 139. Brayden Frost (23) was the only other ‘Creeks’ batsman to reach 20. Chris Baschiera was the star for the Warriors with the ball with 4/14 (5), while Jeremy Druwitt (2/31) and Nick Johns (2/35) chipped in with a couple of wickets each. The Woodside run chase got off to a shaky start as they fell to 3/44 in the 14th over before Noah Bell (36) and Dave Wescombe (18) steadied the ship. Bell then added 45 runs for the fifth wicket with James Bradley (27) as Woodside brought up the winning runs in the 39th over with three wickets to spare. Langhorne Creek skipper Adam Clements (3/32), Dan Kropp (2/14) and Brodie O’Dea (2/22) were the wicket takers for the Tigers. 

Hahndorf remained on top of the ladder after a 56-run win at Macclesfield yesterday. The Magpies batted first with Paul Allegretto (43) and Sam Williams (25) adding 65 runs for the first wicket. Steady wickets fell from then on with Hahndorf struggling to 8/142 in the 31st over as Michael Shanahan (25) and Dean Gore came together. This pair put on an all-important 37-run stand to lift Hahndorf to a total of 195 as Gore top scored with 52 (60 balls). All five Redbacks bowlers took wickets with Josh Lewis-Burns leading the way with 3/37 (9). ‘Maccy’ were never in the run chase as they finished their innings at 9/139. Joseph Lions (24) and Tom Filsell (23) were the only Redbacks batsmen to reach 20. Ryan Trafford-Walker (3/19), Michael Shanahan (2/11) and Hudson Judd (2/12) were the leading wicket takers for Hahndorf.

Strathalbyn won their second game of the season after a 95-run win at home against Bremer Callington. The Stallions batted first and were in all sorts of strife early on as they slumped to 2/2. They recovered with Luke Cousins (25) steadying proceedings, but at 5/76 the innings was in the balance. Strathalbyn skipper Brayden Gaiter joined veteran Steve Schofield in an innings-defining partnership worth 56 runs before Schofield went for 44 (68). Gaiter went on to make 43 not out (60) as Strathalbyn made their way to 8/178 from their 45 overs. Graydon Brand (3/42), Johnny Fitzgerald (2/19) and Nathan Fitzgerald (2/35) were the multiple wicket takers for the Cobras. Bremer Callington’s response never really got going as they were bundled out for 83 in the 28th over. Michael Heath (22) was the only Cobras batsman to reach 20. All five Stallions bowlers took wickets with Ryan Harvey (4/14) and Gaiter (3/21) the chief destroyers. 

Lobethal won their fourth game in row after a four-wicket win over Nairne to move a game clear in second spot on the AEHCA ladder. Nairne batted first with big-hitting opener Shane Kenney the standout batsman for the Razorbacks. Kenney smashed a quickfire 63 from 45 balls (4 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s), but that was the only bright spot for Nairne as they were bowled out in the 40th over for just 131. Five Lobethal bowlers took wickets including Dave Huxter (3/9), Matt Martin (3/52) and Sam Graeber (2/15). Lobethal skipper Mitch Weeks got his side off to a fast start as he joined with Steve Huxter (16) to add 65 runs for the first wicket before Weeks departed for 39 from 36 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Regular wickets fell before Daniel Norsworthy chipped in with a handy 17 not out (38 balls) to get the Tigers across the line in the 30th over. Nairne proved their own worst enemy as they delivered a whopping 32 wides. Kenney completed an excellent all-round game with figures of 4/19 from seven overs. 

Ladder (after round 5)

Hahndorf 16, Lobethal 16, Woodside 12, Langhorne Creek 12, Strathalbyn 8, Nairne 8, Bremer Callington 8, Macclesfield 0.

Round 6 fixtures (home team named first)  

Nairne v Bremer Callington

Woodside v Strathalbyn

Macclesfield v Lobethal

Hahndorf v Langhorne Creek