Langhorne Creek booked themselves a Qualifying Final spot with their convincing 102-run win against minor premier Nairne during round 18 action at Nairne in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The two teams will lock horns again on Saturday for the right to play in the 2021/22 Grand Final. Langhorne Creek batted first on Saturday and got off to a good start as Brodie O’Dea (39) and Daniel Kropp (29) put on 54 runs for the first wicket. James Dawson added a handy 19 (64 balls) but the innings belonged to Ben Warren. Warren was back to his best as he made his third half century of the season with a hard-hitting 92 not out from 59 balls (8 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s) as the visitors posted 7/212 from their 45 overs. It was tough going for the Razorbacks bowling attack with Chad Harrop the standout with 4/33 (7), while Jarrad Tait bowled tightly to finish with 1/24 (9). Nairne started well with a 43-run opening stand between Robert Crook (32) and James Graves (8) before the Tigers took over to take seven wickets for just 26 runs as the home side slumped to 7/69. Brodie Clarke (20) and Harrop (19) tried to add some respectability to the scorecard before the Razorbacks were eventually bowled out in the 36th over for 110. All six Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with Warren completing a fine all-round game with 3/13 (5). Dawson (2/4) and Tom Whittlesea (2/27) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Tigers. 

Lobethal booked themselves a home Elimination Final against local rival Woodside with a convincing nine-wicket win against Hahndorf at Summit Sport & Recreation Park in Mount Barker on Saturday. Hahndorf batted first and was rolled for just 56 in the 22nd over. Michael Shanahan (13) was the only Hahndorf batsman to reach double figures. Matt Martin continued his excellent season with career-best figures of 5/16 (9). It was Martin’s second five-wicket haul in a row and he finished the minor round with 39 wickets at 7.90 to take out the AEHCA bowling aggregate and average awards. Dave Huxter (2/1) and Matthew Weeks (2/33) chimed in with a couple of wickets each. Lobethal wasted no time in knocking off the runs in the ninth over as Weeks (29) and Ben Matthews (23 not out) added 55 for the first wicket. Brayden Hopgood (1/11) was the sole wicket taker for the Magpies. 

Strathalbyn finished their season in style with a comfortable 92-run win at home against finals-bound Woodside. The Stallions won 10 games but missed out on finals action for the second consecutive season. Former skipper Mark Abbott led the way for Strathalbyn as he and veteran Steve Schofield put on 152 runs for the third wicket. Abbott finished on 90 (129 balls) to give him 542 runs at 45.17 for the season and saw him take out the AEHCA batting aggregate and average awards. Schofield made his highest score of the season with 68 from 90 balls as Strathalbyn finished with a very competitive total of 8/217 from their 45 overs. Shane Collins was the best of the Woodside bowlers with 3/25 from his nine-over spell. Jeremy Druwitt (2/51) was the other multiple wicket taker for the Warriors. Woodside were never in the run chase with veteran Matthew Johnston (33) and Shane Collins (25) the only Warriors batsmen to reach 20. Four ‘Strath’ bowlers took wickets with Ben Cousins (4/32), Jack Roberts (2/17) and Brayden Gaiter (2/20) the chief destroyers. 

Macclesfield travelled to Callington and came away with a 42-run victory over Bremer/Callington to win their fifth game of the season and finish in sixth spot on the AEHCA ladder. ‘Maccy’ acquitted themselves well in their return to ‘A’ grade ranks after a 16-year absence and they will look forward to 2022/23 with great anticipation. The Redbacks batted first with Tom Filsell (41), David Caddle (37), Josh Lewis-Burns (35) and Lachlan Barrett (29) helping their side to a competitive total of 8/172 from their 45 overs. Chris Schilling was the best of the Cobras bowlers with 2/23 (9). Bremer/Callington got off to a reasonable start with Ajay Pundir (15) and Alex Durbidge (13) putting on 28 for the first wicket before a collapse of 5/2 left the home side reeling at 5/30. Schilling continued his good day as he hit a quickfire 41 (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) and Dion Rehn battled hard for 19, but the damage was done as the Cobras were bowled out for 130 in the 31st over. Connor Moore was the star for the Redbacks with his best figures of the season, 5/28 (8.1). Barrett (2/31) and Joe Lions (2/41) were the other multiple wicket takers.

Ladder (after round 18)

Nairne 56, Langhorne Creek 52, Lobethal 48, Woodside 44, Strathalbyn 40, Macclesfield 20, Hahndorf 16, Bremer/Callington 12.

Elimination Final

Lobethal v Woodside (Saturday 12.30pm @ Lobethal)

Qualifying Final

Nairne v Langhorne Creek (Saturday 12.30pm @ Nairne)

Preliminary Final

Loser Qualifying Final v Winner Elimination Final (Sunday 12.30pm @ TBC)