Nairne grabbed the last available spot in the top four following a 71-run win against Lobethal at Nairne Oval during round 18 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) on Saturday. After losing to Wistow in round 16, the Razorbacks finals chances appeared over, but crucial victories against finals-bound Hahndorf and Lobethal in the past two weeks, has seen them qualify for the finals for the first time since 2017/18. The Razorbacks batted first with Jarrad Tait (68) and Mitch Hein (20) the only top-six batsmen to reach double figures. Enter Shane Kenney who smashed 102 from 62 balls with eight boundaries and seven ‘maximums’ in his highest score for the club. Chad Harrop (27) added some valuable runs at the end of the innings as the home side racked up 9/246 from their 45 overs. Matt Martin (3/47) and Mitch Weeks (2/33) were the multiple wicket takers for Lobethal. Lobethal’s run chase started poorly as they slumped to 3/22. Will Zadow (46), Steve Huxter (39) and Sam Graeber (27) made good contributions but ultimately the Tigers were bowled out in the 41st over for 175. Nairne left-arm spinner Matthew Hein took 4/32 to finish with 30 wickets for the season and win the AEHCA bowling aggregate. Hein also took three wickets in the first two games of the season while playing for Strathalbyn! Mitch Hein chimed in with 2/30 as the Razorbacks celebrated a return to finals action. 

Reigning premier Hahndorf also made sure of their spot in the major round with a convincing 88-run away win against Woodside. The Magpies batted first and got off to an excellent start through veterans Greg Hassold (73) and Andrew Baker (57) who built a great platform for the rest of the batting lineup. Sam Williams (59) made his highest score for Hahndorf while Shaun Tait made 35 as the Magpies posted an imposing total of 6/266 from their 45 overs. Woodside used nine bowlers to try and stop the flow of runs with Shane Collins (3/56) the only multiple wicket taker. Sam Luck (1/17 off 5 overs) bowled an economical spell for the Warriors. Woodside were under early pressure as they crashed to 5/48 with Ashley Eckermann (3/51), Tait (2/9) and Williams (2/29) doing the damage. Shane Collins and Chris Baschiera (22) put on 45 runs for the sixth wicket and then Collins and Charlie McDonough (17) added 40 for the ninth wicket as the home side finished their 45 overs at 9/178. Collins ended up with 69 not out from 105 balls (9 x 4’s). 



Wistow finished their 2020/21 campaign with a third consecutive victory as they defeated local rival Mount Barker by six wickets on the Hill at Wistow. Mount Barker won the toss and elected to bat first and after being 2/34 early, experienced duo Simon Turk and Brad Horsell came together to add 47 runs for the third wicket until Horsell was dismissed for 23 (40 balls). Turk went on to make his second half century of the season before he was dismissed for 51 from 88 balls (6 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Jackson Lane (18) was the only other Kookaburras batsman to reach double figures as the visitors were bowled out in the 45th over for 141. Wistow teenager Harrison Burgess (4/39) took career best figures of 4/39 (8.4) and finished the season with 20 wickets. Sam Smith (2/14) was the Echidnas other multiple wicket taker. Lachlan Elsworthy and Dan Jenner opened up for Wistow and added 35 runs before Jenner was dismissed for 10. Elsworthy was joined by Matt Chapman and this pair put on 50 for the second wicket until Chapman went for 26 (32 balls). Elsworthy continued on to his highest ‘A’ grade score with 59 from 98 balls. Josh Fidler (15) and Dave Kinlough (13 not out) made handy contributions as the target was knocked off in the 35th over. Mount Barker under 14’s player Bailey Horsell snared 1/11 from five overs in his ‘A’ grade debut. 

Langhorne Creek wrapped up their first minor premiership in the AEHCA with a four-wicket victory at home against Bremer/Callington. The visitors batted first and were in deep trouble at 5/63 before skipper Jai McMurtrie combined with Nathan Fitzgerald (24 not out) for a 61-run sixth wicket stand before McMurtrie was dismissed for a patient 61 from 127 balls (6 x 4’s). The Cobras finished with 6/132 from their 45 overs. Mathew Cannizzaro was the standout with the ball for the Tigers with season-best figures of 3/16 from seven overs. Cannizzaro was well supported by Adam Clements (2/25) and Troy Blackwell (1/22) who both bowled tight nine-over spells. The home side got off to a good start in the run chase with Brodie O’Dea combining with Daniel Kropp to add 55 for the first wicket. O’Dea batted aggressively to make 43 from 44 balls with his innings including six boundaries and a six. Skipper Daniel Cleggett (23) and Jordan Whiting (20) made solid contributions but at 6/111, Bremer/Callington had a slight chance at an unlikely victory. Jaspa Tonkin (17 not out) and Ben Warren (10 not out) put paid to any thoughts of a Cobras victory as the winning runs were knocked off in the 31st over. McMurtrie (2/8) completed a good all-round day while Nathan Fitzgerald (1/18), Nick Williams (1/25) and Brad Louch (1/39) were the other wicket takers for the visitors. 

Strathalbyn had the bye. 

Ladder (after round 18)

Langhorne Creek 50, Lobethal 44, Hahndorf 42, Nairne 40, Strathalbyn 40, Woodside 32, Wistow 20, Bremer/Callington 12, Mount Barker 8.

Elimination Final (13/3/21)

Hahndorf v Nairne (Hahndorf)

Qualifying Final (13/3/21)

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal (Langhorne Creek)

Preliminary Final (14/3/21)

Loser QF v Winner EF (TBC)