ADCA 2023-24: A George Sippe-inspired Manypeaks keep finals hopes alive, ending Railways season prematurely

A swashbuckling knock from Manypeaks’ George Sippe handed his side a clutch two-wicket victory over Railways at Turf North on Saturday, eliminating the Tigers from the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade finals race in the process. The result leaves the Tigers, who have a bye this weekend, outside the top three while Peaks sit five points adrift of Collingwood Park heading into a defining final round of the season. At 7-134 chasing 190 for victory with eight overs to go, Sippe belted 38 runs from 24 deliveries which included two fours and four sixes as he and Ryan Kinear (21 not out) contributed a match-winning 48-run eighth-wicket partnership. Peaks’ tail also found a key contribution from No.8 Jakob Douglas who scored 23 with two fours and two sixes. Peaks captain Regan Poett (18) and Seb Stanton (26) posted 47 for the opening stand before each fell to veteran seamer Ryan Tindale. When Tigers’ Heath Caldwell claimed Cam Walsh (14) and Ben Southern (0) in successive balls and then Sam Slater dismissed Kane Pinney (33) and Oliver Douglas (10), they lost 4-30 and slumped to 6-109. Caldwell, Ryan Tindale and Slater each took two wickets for the Tigers. Earlier the Tigers won the toss and elected to bat and captain Coen Marwick led his side’s innings with a classy 62 from 60 balls. Marwick belted seven fours and two over the rope in his superb knock before being trapped in front by Oliver Douglas. Mitchell T’Hart (21) and Caleb Haua (36) were not able to convert their impressive starts and their side was all out for 189 in the 46th over. Oliver Douglas claimed 3-32 from eight overs while Southern, Walsh and Kinnear each claimed two wickets. The Tigers slipped to fourth on the A-grade standings as a result of their 10th loss of the season with Park’s win over Royals helping them snatch third place with one round to play.