Nairne has ‘come from the clouds’ to book an Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) Grand Final berth against a rampant Lobethal outfit. The Razorbacks had to win their final two minor round games (against Hahndorf and Lobethal) just to qualify for the finals and after defeating Hahndorf and minor premier Langhorne Creek on the weekend, find themselves in the decider! Lobethal secured a home Grand Final with a convincing nine-wicket win at Langhorne Creek in the Qualifying Final. It is the first time the former dominant Torrens Valley side has made an AEHCA Grand Final since moving to the competition for the 2011/12 season. 

The Elimination Final was played at a wet and cold Hahndorf Oval on Saturday with the Magpies going into the match as favourites on their home turf. The match was reduced to a 30-over per side contest with Nairne winning the toss and electing to bat first. The Razorbacks were dealt a blow with skipper Luke Timmins unable to play due to illness, so the experienced Jarrad Tait took over as captain for the day. The visitors were soon in strife as they slumped to 6/55 with Tait (13) the only batsman in the top five to reach double figures. The dangerous Shane Kenney was joined by Chad Harrop and this pair started to resurrect the innings with a 43-run seventh wicket stand before Kenney was dismissed for 34 (1 x 4, 2 x 6’s). Harrop continued on to top score with 39 (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as Nairne were bowled out for 133 in the 30th over. All six Hahndorf bowlers took wickets with skipper Ryan Trafford-Walker the standout with 3/15 (6). The Magpies got off to a solid start in the run chase as Andrew Baker (24) and Greg Hassold (12) put on 24 runs for the first wicket. Wickets continued to fall with the key dismissal of Shaun Tait via a direct hit run out from Brodie Clarke leaving the home side at 4/47. Trafford-Walker (35 not out) and Benny Montgomerie (15) put on 37 for the fifth wicket to give the Magpies some hope but ultimately the required run rate became too much as Hahndorf finished 24 runs short at 7/109. Harrop’s excellent day continued as he snared 2/14 (6) while Jarrad Tait took 2/25 (6). 

The Qualifying Final at Langhorne Creek was also affected by the weather with the match reduced to 41 overs per side. Lobethal sent the home side in and got an early breakthrough as Daniel Kropp was run out without scoring. Ben Warren (30) and Brodie O’Dea (35) then added 46 runs for the second wicket before Warren was dismissed. Lobethal were bowling tightly and wickets fell at regular intervals with Mitch Weeks (4/23) doing most of the damage. At 7/83, the Creeks were in danger of posting a sub-100 score. Tom Whittlesea (18 not out) joined former skipper Matt Tonkin (29) to add 34 for the ninth wicket and lift Langhorne Creek to a competitive total of 9/143. Will Zadow (2/25) was the other multiple wicket taker for the northern Tigers. Adam Clements (1/45) removed the dependable Ben Matthews (4) to get the Creeks off to a great start but from then on it was all Lobethal as Weeks and Daniel Norsworthy (29) added 133 runs for the second wicket to get their side within sight of victory. Weeks finished on 98 not out (102 balls) with his inning containing eight boundaries and one ‘maximum’. Lobethal brought up the winning runs in the 34th over to reach their first AEHCA Grand Final.

Langhorne Creek needed to bounce back on Sunday against a confident Nairne combination in the preliminary final and they started well with Nairne slipping to 2/9 early in their innings. Skipper Luke Timmins was back in for the Razorbacks and his innings would prove crucial to his side's chances. Timmins added 37 runs for the third wicket with Sam Rowe and then 41 for the fourth wicket with Mitch Hein (14). Robert Crook (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Nairne were bowled out in the 45th over for 130. Timmins came in at 1/8 and was the last batsman dismissed for a fine 64 (121 balls) with his innings including five boundaries. Troy Blackwell rounded out an excellent season with figures of 3/16 (9), giving him 30 ‘A’ grade wickets for the season. Adam Clements (3/26) gave Blackwell good support with the ball. Nairne made a fantastic start with the ball as the Tigers slumped to 4/21 with Daniel Kropp (4), Ben Warren (0), Daniel Cleggett (0) and Brodie O’Dea (16) all back in the pavilion. Clements was playing a lone hand for his side and he received some help from Jaspa Tonkin (12) and Matt Tonkin (10) but in the end Nairne came out on top with Langhorne Creek dismissed in the 44th over for 111. Clements ended with 46 not out from 89 balls with three boundaries. All five Razorbacks bowlers took wickets with teenager Brodie Clarke bowling an excellent spell of 3/17 (9). Matt Hein (2/20) and Chad Harrop (2/23) were the other multiple wicket takers for the jubilant Nairne team. 

‘A’ Grade Grand Final (20/3/21)

Lobethal v Nairne (Lobethal Oval)

‘A2’ Grade Grand Final (20/3/21)

Macclesfield v Nairne (Macclesfield Oval)

‘B’ Grade Grand Final (20/3/21)

Finniss v Echunga (Finniss Oval)

‘C’ Grade Grand Final (20/3/21)

Nairne v Finniss (Nairne Oval)

Under 16 Grand Final (20/3/21 & 21/3/21)

Strathalbyn v Woodside (Strathalbyn Oval)

Under 14 Grand Final (20/3/21 & 21/3/21)

Nairne v Hahndorf (Nairne Oval)