Hahndorf and Strathalbyn have played out a thrilling final round match in Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association action at Hahndorf Oval. In a Qualifying Final preview, Hahndorf won by one wicket after an unbeaten 23-run 10th wicket partnership between Nick Mosey (25 not out) and Caleb Blesing (5 not out) got the Magpies over the line. Earlier after winning the toss and batting, Strathalbyn got themselves into a good position at 1/72 before a collapse of 9/47 saw the Stallions bowled out in the 43rd over for 119. Luke Cousins (47) was the standout with the bat with Mark Abbott (20) the only other batsman to reach 20. Teenager Lachlan Huxtable picked up career-best figures of 5/20 (5.4) with skipper Kris Dawe providing good assistance with 2/17 (9). In a promising sign for the Magpies, Jarrad Tait (1/18), was back for his first game since December. Hahndorf started well in their run chase to reach 1/46 with opener Greg Hassold making 22. A collapse of 8/53 left the Magpies in all sorts of strife at 9/99 before Mosey and Blesing came together for their match winning partnership. Ryan Trafford-Walker also made a valuable contribution of 23 (2 x 6’s). Matt Abbott (3/23), Brayden Gaiter (3/37) and Matt Hein (2/19) were the multiple wicket takers for the Stallions. This trio finished as the top three wicket takers in the competition with 90 scalps between them with Gaiter taking the spoils with 32 wickets at an average of just 11.88.

Langhorne Creek will enter the finals looking to defend their title from last season in winning form after a seven-wicket victory over Mount Barker. The Tigers finished fourth and will take on Lobethal on Saturday at Lobethal in the Elimination Final. Mount Barker won the toss and decided to bat first on the Langhorne Creek turf and were dismissed for 112 in the 42nd over. Simon Turk (34), Rhys Paterson (29) and Jackson Lane (12) were the only Kookaburras batsmen to reach double figures with the ‘Burras losing their last eight wickets for 21 runs after being in a good spot at 2/91. Brodie O’Dea continued his good form with 4/11 while Daniel Cleggett took his best figures for the season with 3/18. Despite slipping to 2/12 in reply, the Tigers knocked off the runs in the 20th over with Daniel Kropp (65 not out) making his highest score of the season and O’Dea chipping in with 32. Hayden Lane was the best of the Mount Barker bowlers with figures of 2/23 (6).

Lobethal will enter the finals full of confidence after notching yet another win, this time by eight wickets over Bremer-Callington. The Tigers have not lost since 2 November last year! Bremer-Callington batted first and posted a competitive total of 8/165. Arsalan Eubaid was the anchor with 68 from 131 balls and Johnny Fitzgerald added some impetus to the innings with 25 from 23 balls. Cameron Winen (2/16) and Dave Huxter (2/38) were the multiple wicket takers for Lobethal. The Tigers got off to a great start with Ben Matthews (46) and Mitch Weeks (31) adding 69 for the first wicket before Daniel Norsworthy (56 not out) and Lachlan Bates (23 not out) knocked off the runs in just the 28th over. 

Nairne closed out their season with a 28-run victory over Wistow at Nairne Oval. The home side batted first and made 167 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Sam Rowe (47), Chad Harrop (42 not out) and Mitch Hein (27) were the main contributors for the Razorbacks while Dan Jenner took 4/25 for Wistow. Wistow battled hard in the run chase but ultimately fell short finishing on 9/139 from their 45 overs. Hein backed up his batting with 2/25 from his nine over spell while Jacob Sadler took 2/37 (7).

Fixtures for week one of finals are below. There will be two games on Saturday with the Preliminary Final on Sunday. The Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday 21 March.

Elimination Final (14/3/20)

Lobethal v Langhorne Creek (Lobethal Oval)

Qualifying Final (14/3/20)

Strathalbyn v Hahndorf (Strathalbyn Oval)

Preliminary Final (15/3/20)

Loser QF v Winner EF (Venue TBD)