ADCA 2023-24: Collingwood Park and Manypeaks vie for last spot in finals as competition enters final round

Collingwood Park and Manypeaks will enter the final round of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade jostling for the last finals-bound spot on the ladder. Park currently occupy third spot with 35 points, while Peaks are just five points adrift heading into round 21 on Saturday. It is do or die for Peaks when they take on the Royals, who are cemented in second position but have lost their past four matches. Peaks captain Regan Poett believes his side have been playing “do-or-die” cricket for weeks in their push for a finals berth. “To be honest, I don’t think too much changes. I mean, it’s been do-or-die for us for probably the last three weeks,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of good wins in the last couple of weeks but we’re really in exactly the same position as what we have been for the last few weeks. “(Finals) didn’t look likely at the halfway point of the year, so just to be in with a chance coming into the last round is exciting for us.” Peaks will be bolstered by the inclusion of talented all-rounder Paul Donaldson, who has been sidelined since round 13 with a calf injury. The Lions will regain star batter Lincoln Joy but enter the fixture at Turf South having not won since February 3, when they defeated Peaks. “They’re obviously still a really good side but we’ve also been playing some good cricket of late as well,” Poett said. “I think it’s definitely a good chance for us to knock them off and finish third.” Park is up against the ladder-leading Mt Barker at Turf North on Saturday and need to win to secure their spot in the finals if Peaks win. The Bulls sewed up the minor premiership and booked their spot in the decider set for March 23 despite having the bye last week, but will be missing the experienced Alex Fergie who is serving a one-match suspension. In the B-grade, Peaks and the Lions will do battle for the fourth spot on the ladder and a shot at the elimination final. The Lions sit on 50 points, six points adrift of Peaks, heading into their fixture at Proctor Oval on Saturday. However, the visitors have a far stronger net run rate and a win will be enough to leapfrog their rivals for a finals berth. If Peaks win, they will give themselves the opportunity to move ahead of Park into third. A double bonus point win for the Bulls would be enough for them to jump current ladder-leaders Denmark, who have a bye in the final round. The Bulls must see off a hungry Park side who are chasing a victory to book themselves a spot in the qualifying final. As it stands, the Bulls (63) are two points ahead of the opponents they face at Centennial Park on Saturday. In the C-grade, the Magpies and Lions will face off at McLean Park for a spot in the qualifying final next week. The Lions cannot drop below their third position on the ladder and a win over the Magpies would secure a finals double chance. Ladder leaders Park face Peaks at Hard North in a battle between the two finals-bound teams.