Junior country week grand final heartache for both Albany and Districts under-14 sides

Albany and Districts Cricket Association came home without any silverware after their two under-14 teams lost respective grand finals at junior country week in Perth on Friday. The under-14 A-section side lost by two wickets to Geraldton in the grand final at College Park while the under-14 B-section side went down by three wickets to Peel Maroon at Alan Edwards Park. After winning three of their four qualifying games and finishing on top of their pool, the under-14 A-section side won their crossover semifinal on Thursday to make their way into the decider. Albany and Districts were bowled out for 117 in the final over of their innings before Geraldton secured victory with 26 balls to spare. Buddy Robinson made 39 from 61 balls and Regan Christensen added 19 off 27 but they lost 7-52 in the middle stages of the innings. Jackson Burns snared 3-7 off five overs in a terrific spell for Geraldton while Jack Annison (2-15) and Jack Gray (2-19) also chipped in. In reply, Geraldton made a steady start but slumped to 7-85 to leave the game in the balance. However, a 30-run partnership from Bruce Weston (20 runs) and Ace Maver (12) got their side within sight of victory. Weston fell needing three runs to win but Albany and Districts were unable to take the final two scalps as Geraldton finished on 8-118 off 45.4 overs to secure the title. Oliver Douglas snared 3-15 off nine overs, four of which were maidens, in a top spell and Alby Kowald added 2-10. The under-14 B-section side went through their qualifying games undefeated but couldn’t cap it off with grand final victory. Albany and Districts posted 7-150 batting first but Peel Maroon got home with two wickets in hand in a thrilling finish. Peel Maroon fell to 3-26 early in the run chase but they settled through a vital 79-run stand from Ari Schnaars and Jett Goard. Goard fell for 28 off 82 balls and his side lost 3-22 as a result, pulling Albany and Districts back into contention. However, needing 16 to win from the final three overs, William Nenman (18no) and Justen Sibum (7no) took 16 runs from the 48th over to level the scores and went on to reach 8-155 from 48.4 overs. Chaz Durack snared 2-6 off five overs, three of which were maidens, and was well supported by Brock Herbert (2-22). A superb bowling performance got the under-14 A-section side across the line by 43 runs in their semifinal against Peel at Murdoch University Sports Ground on Thursday. Albany and Districts made 105 batting first thanks to 34 from Robinson while Jared Ballard (15) and Jake Schwarzbach (11no) also chipped in after their side slipped to 7-69. In reply, Peel were bowled out for just 62 as Rory Sutherland (3-5 off seven overs), Kowald (2-6) and Robinson (2-17) did the damage. The under-14 B-section side won by three wickets over Port Headland at David Cruikshank Reserve on Thursday to reach the decider. Port Headland were bowled out for 68 as Fraser Syme as Herbert did the damage with the ball. In reply, Albany and Districts passed the total three wickets down before making 7-113 from 20 overs. Ryan Bedofrd made 32 at the top of the order and Lochie Otway added 26. Robinson was Albany and Districts under-14 A-section leading run scorer finishing with 246 runs from six innings while Sutherland was their leading wicket taker with 11. Otway was Albany and Districts under-14 B-section side leading run scorer with 118 and Harrison McLeod was their leading wicket taker with eight scalps.

Junior country week grand final heartache for both Albany and Districts under-14 sides

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