Woodside won their second game in a row to consolidate second position on the  Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following their six-wicket win at Callington during round nine action on Saturday. It was tough going for the Cobras as they battled their way to 8/115 from their 45 overs. Ajay Pundir (31), Graydon Brand (19), Amit Maina (14) and Nathan Fitzgerald (13 not out) were the leading scorers for the home side. Five bowlers took wickets for the Warriors with Dave Wescombe snaring 2/10 from 8.5 overs, while Harrison Reid captured 2/12 from his nine-over spell. Bremer/Callington got themselves back into the game as they reduced Woodside to 4/53 with Bradley Clements (2/28), Brand (1/23) and Maina (1/25) taking the wickets. The Warriors were under pressure as Sam Pullen joined the dogged Tommy Baldock at the crease. Baldock played a fine sheet-anchor role as he finished on 47 not out (113 balls), while Pullen scored quickly, as he always does, to score 39 not out (30 balls) as they added 67 runs for the fifth wicket to see their side to victory in the 37th over.

Nairne won their eighth game in a row following a hard-fought two-wicket win over Lobethal in the Grand Final rematch at Summit Sport & Recreation Park at Mount Barker. The Razorbacks sent the Tigers in to bat and the move paid off early as ‘Lobey’ were reduced to a precarious 4/23 as the Nairne opening bowling pair of Mitch Hein and Brodie Clarke were wreaking havoc. Hein’s excellent season continued as he snared 4/20 and the big seam bowler now has 21 wickets for the season. Brodie Clarke supported Hein well with 3/24 (9). Lachy Bates scored 35 from 67 balls as he tried to put the innings back on track, while Matt Martin top scored with 37 not out from 50 balls before the Tigers were bowled out for 124 in the 41st over. Jacob Sadler (2/23) was the other multiple wicket taker for Nairne. The run chase for the reigning premier was anything but easy as they were reduced to 6/49 and Lobethal were up and about through opening bowlers Cam Winen (3/16) and Matt Martin (2/17). The dangerous Shane Kenney was at the crease and he formed an important partnership with Luke Clayton (11) worth 31 runs for the seventh wicket. There was still work to do with 45 runs required for victory and just three wickets in hand as Chad Harrop (13) joined Kenney. This pair added a priceless 44 runs for the eighth wicket with Harrop dismissed with the scores level. Kenney finished the game off with 23 balls to spare as he made a fine 60 not out from 68 balls (6 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). 

Strathalbyn notched their fifth win of the 2021/22 season with a hard-fought 20-run win against Macclesfield at Macclesfield Oval on Saturday. Strathalbyn batted first and their innings was underpinned by a fine innings from all-rounder Matthew Harris. Harris made a career-high score of 94 from 118 balls with his innings including 11 boundaries. Harris and former skipper Mark Abbott (41) added 90 runs for the second wicket, while Steven Schofield (15) and Riley Brook (13) were involved in handy partnerships with Harris as the Stallions finished their 45 overs on 8/191. Brad Noske (3/42), Connor Moore (2/16) and Joe Lions (2/37) were the multiple wicket takers for the Redbacks. The run chase didn’t start well for ‘Maccy’ as they were in early trouble at 3/52 before skipper David Caddle joined Joshua Lewis-Burns at the crease. This pair resurrected the innings with an 82-run fourth wicket stand before Lewis-Burns fell for 50 (8 x 4’s). Regular wickets continued to fall and when Caddle was dismissed for 45, it was all over for the Redbacks as they finished 9/171 from their 45 overs. 

Langhorne Creek also won their fifth game of the season with a four-wicket home win against Hahndorf. The Magpies batted first and struggled throughout to be bowled out for 106 in the 36th over. Ben Judd (23) and Benny Montgomerie (20) were the only Hahndorf batsmen to reach 20 runs. James Dawson claimed the amazing figures of 3/2 from four overs and he was well supported by Troy Blackwell (3/17) and Tom Whittlesea (2/28). Langhorne Creek started their run chase well as they reached 1/60 with Jaspa Tonkin (28) and skipper Daniel Cleggett (22) leading the way. Things started to go a bit awry for the home side as they lost 5/28 to slip to 6/88 and the game was back on. Ben Warren (12 not out) and Whittlesea (7 not out) saw the Tigers home though with more than 15 overs to spare. In his first match for Hahndorf, Paul Allegretto was the pick of the bowlers with 4/19 from his nine-over spell. 

Ladder (after round 9)

Nairne 32, Woodside 24, Strathalbyn 20, Langhorne Creek 20, Lobethal 20, Hahndorf 12, Bremer/Callington 8, Macclesfield 8.

Round 10 fixture (home team named first)

Hahndorf v Macclesfield

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek

Nairne v Woodside

Lobethal v Bremer/Callington