Langhorne Creek completed an undefeated minor round as the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season wrapped up on Saturday. The Tigers won 15 games and had three draws in the 18-game season. On Saturday they hosted a Macclesfield lineup that needed a win if they were to play finals. ‘Maccy’ sent the home side in and Langhorne Creek were more than happy to accommodate the Redbacks as they put up an imposing total of 4/302 from their 45 overs. Ben Warren top scored with 79 from 54 balls (10 x 4’s, 1 x 6) and he added 142 runs for the third wicket with James Dawson. Dawson went on to make 76 not out from 95 balls (7 x 4’s), while Daniel Kropp made 71 from 79 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Kieran O’Connell (2/60) was the multiple wicket taker for Macclesfield. ‘Maccy’ reached 1/103, before losing their last 9/86 to be bowled out for 189 in the 40th over. Tom Filsell (41), Josh Lewis-Burns (36) and David Caddy (29) were the leading scorers for the Redbacks. Kropp completed a great day, taking the last four wickets, finishing with figures of 4/3 from 1.4 overs. 

Reigning premier Lobethal warmed up for their finals tilt with a comprehensive 91-run win over local rival Woodside. The Tigers batted first and made 8/180 from their 45 overs. Sam Graeber (45), Lachie Bates (30) and Ben Matthews (26) were the leading batsmen for Lobethal. All 11 Woodside players bowled (!) with seven of them taking wickets including Harrison Reid (2/25). Woodside only made it to the 21st over in the run chase as they were bowled out for just 89. Veteran Dave Wescombe hit a quickfire 40 (34 balls) and Tommy Baldock made 13 (25 balls), but no other Warriors batsman could reach double figures. Dave Huxter (4/29) and Cameron Winen (3/30) were the multiple wicket takers for Lobethal.

Nairne finished the minor round in style with a comfortable eight-wicket victory at Hahndorf. The Magpies batted first with the innings underpinned by a half century from Hudson Trafford-Walker. He finished with 53 from 92 balls and was well supported by Daniel Jenner (33) and Noah Dunn (20 not out) as Hahndorf finished with 9/139. All six Nairne bowlers took wickets with Chad Harrop (2/19), Mitch Hein (2/22) and Jack May (2/35) leading the way. Richard Boscence (51 not out), Robert Crook (35) and Josh Hardy (32) led the Razorbacks to the total for the loss of just two wickets with 33 balls to spare. Mitch Bannister (1/8) and Lachlan Huxtable (1/20) were the Hahndorf wicket takers.

Bremer/Callington won their fifth game of the season with a four-wicket win against finals-bound Strathalbyn on Saturday. The Stallions batted first with Matt Harris (51) and Luke Cousins (33) setting their team up for a good score. Brayden Gaiter (26 not out) and Chris Hanley (10 not out) added 33 runs for the ninth wicket as ‘Strath’ posted 8/169. Nathan Fitzgerald capped off a career-best season with 3/10 from nine overs. Fitzgerald finished the season with 40 wickets at an average of 10.60 to take out the AEHCA bowling honours for 2022/23. The Cobras were in early trouble in the run chase at 2/16, before Nathan Fitzgerald (43) and Johnny Fitzgerald (42) teamed up for a 61-run partnership. Graydon Brand contributed 20, but at 6/135 the game was on an even keel. Shannon Howie and Alex Durbidge then got their side over the line with an unbroken 38-run seventh wicket stand. Howie finished with 35 not out (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Six Strathalbyn bowlers took wickets with Mark Abbott (1/20) the most economical. 

Ladder - after round 18

Langhorne Creek 66, Lobethal 50, Nairne 48, Strathalbyn 32, Macclesfield 30, Woodside 28, Bremer/Callington 22, Hahndorf 12. 

Round 1 Finals fixtures (11/3/23)

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal (Qualifying Final @ Langhorne Creek)

Nairne v Strathalbyn (Elimination Final @ Nairne)