Reigning premier Nairne are through to their 11th Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) Grand Final in 14 seasons, following their comprehensive nine-wicket win over Langhorne Creek in the Qualifying Final at Nairne yesterday. In an ominous sign for whoever they play next week, the Razorbacks are a perfect 10-0 in grand finals since the 2008-09 season! Yesterday, Langhorne Creek batted first and they got off to a disastrous start, slumping to 6/26 with Brodie O’Dea (17) the only top-six batsman to reach double figures. The damage was done by the trio of Mitch Hein (3/17), Jarrad Tait (3/20) and Brodie Clarke (1/19). Brayden Frost (27), Tom Whittlesea (16) and Troy Blackwell (14) helped to add some respectability to the ‘Creeks’ total before they were bowled out in the 37th over for just 101. Chad Harrop (2/16) and Matt Hein (1/23) were the other wicket takers for Nairne. The reigning premier got off to a solid start in the run chase as James Graves (26) and Robert Crook added 40 runs for the first wicket before Graves was dismissed in the 16th over by Ben Warren (1/12). This brought the hard-hitting Tait to the crease and he and Crook wasted no time as they added 66 runs from just 45 balls with the winning runs coming up in the 23rd over. Crook finished with 43 not out (70 balls), while Tait made 29 not out (20 balls) and brought the winning runs up with a six off the bowling of James Dawson. 

Lobethal are through to today’s Preliminary Final following their hard-fought four-wicket win against Woodside in the Elimination Final at Lobethal Oval yesterday. Woodside batted first and posted a competitive total of 153 before being bowled out in the 45th over. Tommy Baldock (33), Sam Pullen (29) and Dave Wescombe (20) were the leading lights with the bat for the Warriors. All seven Tigers bowlers took wickets with Dave Huxter (3/22) and Matt Martin (2/41) the multiple wicket takers. Lobethal started the run chase in solid fashion with a 30-run opening stand between Mitch Weeks (11) and Ben Matthews. Lachy Bates (15) then joined Matthews to add 36 runs for the second wicket as Lobethal slowly got on top. Four quick wickets to the Warriors reduced Lobethal to 5/83 and it was the visitors in the ascendancy. Matt Martin came in at the fall of the fifth wicket and formed a very important alliance with Matthews to add 50 runs for the sixth wicket before Matthews was dismissed for a fine 72 from 128 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Lobethal still required 21 runs from 34 balls when Matthews departed, but Martin (27 not out) and Matt Jenkin (13 not out) saw their side over the line with seven balls and four wickets to spare. Harrison Reid (2/31), Nick Johns jnr (1/17), Chris Baschiera (1/22) and Jordan Vette (1/24) were the wicket takers for Woodside.

Langhorne Creek will host Lobethal in today’s (12.30pm) Preliminary Final with the winner to play Nairne in the Grand Final next week. A full match report of this game will be on the Fleurieu App tomorrow (Monday) morning.