Lobethal defeated Langhorne Creek by 75 runs in the ‘A’ grade Grand Final at Langhorne Creek yesterday to claim back-to-back premierships in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). Langhorne Creek went into the decider with an unblemished record for season 2022/23, including a comprehensive victory against Lobethal a fortnight ago in the qualifying final. Yesterday, Lobethal skipper Mitch Weeks won the toss and decided to bat first with Weeks and Sam Martin (16) adding 65 runs for the second wicket before a collapse of 8/69 saw ‘Lobey’ languishing at 9/143. A 10th-wicket stand of 23 between Matt Jenkin (20) and Dave Huxter (6 not out) lifted the reigning premier to a competitive total of 166 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Undoubtedly the star of the innings was Weeks who top scored with a match-winning 80 from 77 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6). To underline Weeks’ dominance, he was the fifth batsman dismissed when the score was 5/114, meaning he had scored an amazing 70% of the runs to that stage of the innings! The ‘Creeks’ used seven bowlers with Matt Tonkin the unlikely destroyer with 3/10 (5). Brodie O’Dea (2/23), Troy Blackwell (2/30), and Daniel Cleggett (2/31) were the other multiple wicket takers for Langhorne Creek.

Lobethal took some good momentum into the field after their last wicket partnership, and struck two big blows early, removing O’Dea (2) and Dan Kropp (4) to leave the home side in trouble at 2/7. Ben Warren joined James Dawson to add 22 runs for the third wicket before that man Weeks struck a huge blow as he dismissed the dangerous Warren for 14. Dawson continued on to top score with 38 from 93 balls, but no other ‘Creeks’ batsman could reach double figures, as they were dismissed for just 91 in the 33rd over. The ‘Lobey’ bowlers were brilliant as they conceded just three extras and bowled six maidens. Jenkin backed up his batting with 3/12 (2.4), while man-of-the-match Weeks (2/19), Sam Martin (2/20), Matt Martin (1/6), and Sam Graeber (1/19) were the other wicket takers.

It’s been a big 12 months in the ‘Valley of Praise’ with Lobethal winning two ‘A’ grade Cricket premierships, while the Lobethal Football Club broke a long drought to win the Hills Football League premiership in September last year.