Reigning premier Lobethal defeated Nairne by 50 runs in the preliminary final on Saturday to progress to the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) Grand Final, where they’ll clash with undefeated minor premier Langhorne Creek. On Saturday, Lobethal batted first with Ben Matthews (55) and Sam Graeber (33) putting on 81 runs for the fourth wicket to underpin the Tigers’ innings of 168. Brodie Clarke was the standout bowler for Nairne with figures of 4/22 (9), and he was ably supported by Nick Williams (2/23), Matthew Hein (2/28) and Mitchell Hein (2/40). The Nairne run chase looked in reasonable shape as they reached 2/71 with Luke Timmins leading the way with a top scoring 41. The dismissal of Timmins led to a collapse of 8/47 with the Razorbacks dismissed in the 39th over for 118. Zac Llewellyn (21) was the only other Nairne batsman to pass 20 runs. Lobethal used eight bowlers with Lachlan Elsworthy (3/16), Matt Martin (2/17) and Mitch Weeks (2/20) leading the way. 

In the other senior grades, Mount Barker won the ‘A2’ competition following a convincing 10-wicket win against Woodside, Lobethal won the ‘B’ grade grand final by four wickets against Langhorne Creek, the ‘C’ grade flag was won by Ashbourne after they accounted for Woodside Blue by seven wickets, while the ‘D’ grade title was taken out by Macclesfield after they defeated Bremer/Callington by eight runs. In the junior grades, Hahndorf had a convincing 10-wicket victory over Nairne in the under 16’s, while Lobethal won the under 14’s after defeating Woodside by seven wickets.

‘A’ Grade Grand Final (25/3/23)

Langhorne Creek v Lobethal (12.30pm @ Langhorne Creek)