Langhorne Creek secured the minor premiership after defeating reigning premier Lobethal by 11 runs in a low-scoring round 18 encounter in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) at Langhorne Creek yesterday. The home side batted first and reached 2/73 through Shannon Jones (32) and Adam Clements (30), before a collapse of 8/56 saw them bowled out for 129 in the 43rd over. All seven Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Matt Martin (2/19), Sam Graeber (2/26) and Mitch Weeks (2/33) the multiple wicket takers. Lobethal started their run chase in shaky fashion as they slipped to 3/33, with ‘Creeks’ skipper Adam Clements (4/31) doing the early damage, before Sam Graeber (42) and Tanner King (22) added 47 runs for the fourth wicket as the the visitors reached 3/80.

Veteran Ben Warren (2/14) made two key breakthroughs, while Troy Blackwell (3/28) mopped up the tail as Lobethal were bundled out for 118. Langhorne Creek will host Hahndorf next Saturday with the winner progressing to the Grand Final, while Lobethal will take on old rival Woodside in a cut-throat final at Lobethal. 

Hahndorf jumped up to second spot on the ladder and secured the double chance after a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Bremer Callington at Hahndorf yesterday. The Cobras batted first with Nathan Fitzgerald (22) and Graydon Brand (20) the only batsmen to reach 20 as they were bowled out for 123. Michael Shanahan (4/31) led the Magpies attack and he was well supported by Ryan Trafford-Walker (3/32) and Paul Allegretto (2/26). The Magpies wasted no time in knocking off the target as Sam Williams and Paul Allegretto (32) put on 107 for the first wicket. Williams went on to make a quickfire 78 not out from 41 balls (9 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 14th over. Leland Siebert (1/13) was the wicket taker for Bremer Callington. 

Strathalbyn finished their season in style with a comfortable eight-wicket win against Nairne at Strathalbyn yesterday. Nairne batted first and they were in all sorts of trouble early at 4/14 with Matt Harris doing the damage with 3/17 (5). Brodie Clarke (23), Jack Whelan (23) and Caleb Walker (22) attempted to resurrect the innings but ultimately the Razorbacks were bowled out in the 31st over for 99. Tyler Smith (2/10) and Kane Gaiter (2/15) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Stallions. Strathalbyn were untroubled in the run chase as Luke Cousins (29 not out), Riley Tonkin (26) and Mark Abbott (22) saw their side over the line in the 16th over. 

Woodside warmed up for finals action with a comprehensive 155-run win at Macclesfield. The Warriors batted first and had plenty of contributors as they put up an imposing total of 7/307 from their 45 overs. Dave Wescombe (58), Chris Baschiera (57) and Tommy Baldock (54) all made half-centuries, while Noah Bell (41) and Brad Collins (31) made handy contributions. Oliver Llewellyn (2/38) was the leading wicket taker for the Redbacks. Josh Lewis-Burns battled hard for ‘Maccy’ as he top scored with 50 from 53 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Connor Moore (20) was the only other player to reach 20 as the home side were bowled out for 152. Craig Medlow snared 4/26 (9) for the Warriors and he was well supported by Jeremy Druwitt with 4/39 (9). 

Ladder (after round 18)

Langhorne Creek 56, Hahndorf 52, Lobethal 52, Woodside 48, Nairne 32, Strathalbyn 30, Bremer Callington 14, Macclesfield 4.

Round 1 finals fixtures (15/3/25)  

Langhorne Creek v Hahndorf (Langhorne Creek)

Lobethal v Woodside (Lobethal)