Albany and Districts Cricket Association 2 go undefeated to claim C-section title, ADCA 3 avoid relegation

A dominant Albany and Districts Cricket Association 2 side smashed Northam Cricket Association 1 on Friday to finish senior country week undefeated and claim the C-section premiership. The Whalers stormed home to a nine-wicket victory over NCA 1 at Murdoch University Sports Ground on Friday to cap off the perfect week. After winning the toss and batting, NCA 1 were skittled for just 43 in the 23rd over spearheaded by Willetton Premier Cricket Club coach Joe Swan, who took a six-fer, including a triple-wicket maiden. NCA 1 slumped to 4-3 and was unable to recover. Skipper Cameron Watson (15) was the only NCA 1 batter to make it past double figures as Swan ripped through their line-up, taking the first five wickets. He finished with 6-22 from 11 overs while Jaymon Spaanderman pitched in with 3-3 from five overs. In reply, Jed Schwarzbach scored a run-a-ball 23, finishing unbeaten to guide his side to victory in the 15th over. ADCA 2 secured their place in the final with another remarkable bowling performance, defeating Wyalkatchem Cricket Association 1 by seven wickets at Hamer Park on Thursday. The Whalers rolled WCA 1 for 85 runs in the 46th over with even contributions across the bowling attack. Jaymon Spaanderman led the way with 3-4 from nine overs while O’Shea Durack and grand final hero Swan each took two. In reply, Ryan Davies scored an unbeaten 28 while Schwarzbach contributed 21 before they reeled in the total by the 24th over. ADCA 3 struggled to replicate the success of their fellow C-section members but managed to avoid relegation with a clutch eight-wicket win over the Great Southern Cricket Association. The Whalers were at their economical best, strangling the GSCA batters’ scoring options before Oliver Pluckhahn came into the attack to cash in. He took a magnificent six-fer before GSCA were rolled for 91 in the penultimate over of their innings. Cameron Newbold and Riley Wood each contributed two wickets. Earlier in the campaign, ADCA 3 came agonisingly close to causing a major upset but were forced to settle for a draw with eventual grand finalists WCA 1 at Gwynne Park on Wednesday. After posting 224 runs for victory, Whalers were defending three runs off the final over of the match. With fielders surrounding the bat and star all-rounder Pluckhahn holding the ball, the Whalers were able to split the points after claiming three wickets, including two run-outs. WCA 1 cruised at 2-200 with openers Thomas Moore and Klint Hagboom each scoring 61 and No.3 Blake Mason contributing 67. But Pluckhahn ensured his side did not roll over, dismissing WCA 1’s top four batters to give his side a sniff of victory. The all-rounder finished with 5-48 from 14 overs. The Whalers scored 224 runs in their 50 overs led by opener Pluckhahn, who scored 90 runs from 122 balls, including seven fours and four maximums. Fellow opener Peter Ross scored 43 as the pair put on a century stand against a formidable attack. Nicholas Neumann was WCA 1’s pick of the bowlers with 3-55.