Hahndorf confirmed their spot in the finals of the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) after a thrilling one-run win over Langhorne Creek during round 16 action at Hahndorf on Saturday. The home side batted first with their innings dominated by left-hand opening batsman Sam Williams who made 105 from 130 balls (10 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Curtis Montgomery (36) and Ben Montgomerie (29) chipped in to lift the Magpies to 8/202 from their 45 overs. Daniel Kropp (3/43), Tom Plant (2/16) and Troy Blackwell (2/38) were the major wicket takers for Langhorne Creek. The Creeks were soon under pressure at 2/15, before Plant and Brodie O’Dea (30) settled things down with a 58-run partnership. Plant continued on to top score with 64 (91 balls) as his side got themselves into a winning position at 5/162. Ryan Trafford-Walker (1/43) struck the vital blow by removing Plant, but Blackwell was batting well as Langhorne Creek needed seven runs from the final over to be bowled by Hudson Judd (1/31). That equation became three runs off three balls, but Blackwell (47 off 58) was run out with two balls left in the game as the Creeks were bowled out for 201. Montgomery completed a good all round game with 2/28 (9), while Ty Watson took 2/37 (9). 

After a couple of losses in a row, reigning premiers Lobethal got back on the winners list with a comprehensive eight-wicket win against local rivals Woodside. Woodside batted first and could only manage a total of 130 before being bowled out in the 39th over. Brad Collins (26) was the only Warriors batsman to pass 20, while Mitch Weeks (3/30), Steve Huxter (2/6) and Sam Graeber (2/9) were the leading wicket takers for the Tigers. Lobethal wasted no time in the run chase with Weeks completing an excellent all round double with a hard-hitting 69 from 49 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Jeremy Hackett finished on 50 not out (47 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 17th over. 

Bremer Callington won their fifth game of the season with a comfortable eight-wicket win at Wistow. The home side batted first with Tim Chynoweth (37), Cooper Kupke (30) and Harrison Burgess (29 not out) the leading batsmen as the Echidnas were bowled out for 139 in the 41st over. Cobras skipper Nathan Fitzgerald was the star with the ball taking 6/43 from 8.3 overs. Bremer Callington had little trouble in the run chase with Michael Kudra top scoring with 76 not out (90 balls) and Graydon Brand chipping in with 41 not out (52) as the winning runs came up in the 28th over. 

Strathalbyn had a tight 12-run win over finals-bound Nairne at ‘Strath’. The home side batted first and put up a competitive total of 7/228 from their 45 overs with solid contributions from a number of batsmen. Nathan Pelle (29 not out), Luke Cousins (28) and Tyson Roberts (28) made useful scores, before Jack Roberts scored a quickfire 52 from 35 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6) to lift the Stallions to their final score. Chad Harrop (2/36) and Brodie Clarke (2/40) were the multiple wicket takers for the Razorbacks. Nairne got off to a disastrous start in the run chase as they slumped to 4/12 with Roberts doing most of the damage on his way to figures of 4/20 (9). Zac Llewellyn (63) and Clarke (53) then combined for an important 113-run stand, while Harrop whacked 43 (29 balls), but ultimately Nairne came up short after being bowled out in the final over for 216. Brayden Gaiter (2/26) and Lachlan Cutting (2/37) were the other multiple wicket takers for Strathalbyn. 

Ladder (after round 16)

Lobethal 48, Langhorne Creek 44, Nairne 36, Hahndorf 36, Bremer Callington 24, Strathalbyn 24, Woodside 22, Wistow 22.

Round 17 (28/2/26 - home team named first)

Bremer Callington v Nairne

Lobethal v Hahndorf

Strathalbyn v Wistow

Woodside v Langhorne Creek