The Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) finals start tomorrow with the ‘A’ grade premiership race wide open. Hahndorf host Nairne in the elimination final while minor premier Langhorne Creek take on Lobethal in the qualifying final.

Nairne will enter the finals series full of confidence after defeating Hahndorf and Lobethal in the last two minor round games to slip past Strathalbyn into the top four. Reigning premier Hahndorf also had to win their final round match (against Woodside) to secure their spot in the finals in their quest for back-to-back flags. Hahndorf and Nairne met only once this season with Nairne winning by 40 runs in round 17. Hahndorf has been a bit inconsistent with the bat this season with Greg Hassold (396 runs) the only Magpie to pass 250 runs for the season. Veteran Andrew Baker has returned to ‘A’ grade ranks to open the batting in the past month and has been very consistent with 172 runs in the past four matches. Shaun Tait has led the Hahndorf attack brilliantly with 27 wickets at an average of just 9.93 and he has been well supported by skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker (18 wickets). Nairne has also struggled at times with the bat but the return of Jarrad Tait from injury has been a huge plus for the Razorbacks with the gun all-rounder scoring 184 runs in the past four games. Skipper Luke Timmins (262 runs), Shane Kenney (251 runs) and Mitch Hein (243 runs) will be important members of the Razorbacks batting lineup as well. Matt Hein (30 wickets) won the AEHCA bowling aggregate and he has been well supported by Chad Harrop (19), Brodie Clarke (17) and Mitch Hein (17). 

Langhorne Creek won their first AEHCA minor premiership and will host Lobethal with the winner to progress straight through to the Grand Final on March 20. The teams met just once during the minor round with Lobethal winning their round 16 clash by seven wickets. Langhorne Creek started the season with a bang to reach Christmas undefeated. The Creeks’ Ben Warren had another excellent season as he won the AEHCA batting aggregate with 532 runs at an average of 59.11. He will be a massive key in the ‘double chance’ final and he’ll be looking to Brodie O’Dea (350 runs), Daniel Kropp (287 runs) and Daniel Cleggett (217 runs) to get the southern Tigers to a winning score. With the ball, Troy Blackwell (27 wickets) has had another consistent season to finish in the top five of the AEHCA bowling aggregate. Teenager Darcy Paech (23 wickets) has had a breakout season to aid Blackwell. Lobethal has had a very consistent season and they get the chance to qualify for their first AEHCA grand final since joining the competition in 2011/12. Skipper Ben Matthews leads a very ‘even’ side and he has led from the front this season with 449 runs at 44.90. Daniel Norsworthy (280 runs) and Mitch Weeks (263 runs) round out a very solid top three. Lobethal’s bowling attack has good variation with Cam Winen (29), Weeks (20), Matt Martin (18) and Will Zadow (15) combining for 82 wickets.

Elimination Final (13/3/21)

Hahndorf v Nairne (Hahndorf)

Qualifying Final (13/3/21)

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal (Langhorne Creek)

Preliminary Final (14/3/21)

Loser QF v Winner EF (TBC)