Lobethal will play Nairne in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) for the second consecutive season following their upset five-wicket win at Langhorne Creek in the Preliminary Final yesterday. Lobethal were missing several players, including skipper Mitch Weeks and opening batsman Ben Matthews, but it didn’t deter them from making it through to another date with the Razorbacks in the decider. Langhorne Creek won the toss and decided to bat first and posted a competitive total of 9/183 from their 45 overs. Brodie O’Dea (45), Brayden Frost (34), Ben Warren (30) and Jaspa Tonkin (24) were the leading lights with the bat for the home side. All five Lobethal bowlers took wickets with Matt Martin (2/33), Matt Jenkin (2/33), Lachlan Elsworthy (2/46) and Dave Huxter (2/50) being the multiple wicket takers. Lobethal started the run chase well with Sam Graeber (49) and Sam Martin (28) putting on 75 for the first wicket before Martin was dismissed in the 21st over. After Graeber was dismissed, Lachy Bates (48) and Matt Martin (23) put on 56 runs for the third wicket to bring their side within sight of victory. Acting captain Dillon King duly brought up the winning runs in the 43rd over as the northern Tigers won with 12 balls to spare. Warren (2/41) was the sole multiple wicket taker for Langhorne Creek. 

Saturday’s Grand Final at Nairne will be a rematch of the 2020/21 decider which was won by the Razorbacks. Nairne will be looking for their 16th ‘A’ grade title in AEHCA ranks, while Lobethal are searching for their first title since coming over from the Torrens Valley Cricket Association in 2011/12.

‘A’ Grade Grand Final

Nairne v Lobethal (Nairne @ 12.30pm)