Albany and Districts Cricket Association B-section side face Upper Great Southern for grand final spot

Albany and Districts Cricket Association B-section side went through their qualifying games at senior country week undefeated to book their place in Thursday’s semifinals. They topped the pool B standings and will play the second ranked team in pool A, Upper Great Southern 2, in Thursday’s semifinal at Charles Veryard. Their round two victory on Monday guaranteed them a spot in the semifinals before prevailing in their round three fixture on Wednesday. Ryan Davies led the way in their round three win over West Pilbara at Breckler Park as he belted a terrific century to guide his side to a comfortable 81-run victory. Albany and Districts set a mammoth total of 278 batting first, led by Davies’ century. Davies hit 15 fours on his way to a brilliant 120 from 116 balls. Opener Darcy Middleton made 37 while Josh Dallimore added 28 in the lower order. In reply West Pilbara were bowled out for 197 with Dallimore the pick of the bowlers with 3-12 from seven overs. Jack Stephens (2-30), Nick Barrow (2-39) and Sean Williams (2-51) were the other multiple wicket takers. The 86-run victory over Peel in round two at Lark Hill Sporting Complex sealed their spot in the top-two. Davies and Stephens led the way with terrific half-centuries while Dallimore provided some lower-order hitting. Albany and Districts fell to 4-66 when Oswin D’Sylva was dismissed for 15 but Davies and captain Matt Heberle took their side into triple figures with a 44-run stand before the latter was dismissed for 20. That triggered another mini-collapse as Albany and Districts lost three wickets in quick succession but Davies and Stephens steadied the ship, combining for 46 runs. Davies finally fell for a well-made 67 off 93 balls bringing Dallimore to the crease and he shared in a 71-run stand with Stephens. Dallimore crunched eight fours in his knock of 40 from 31 balls while Stephens finished unbeaten on 51 from 87 balls. Peel were bowled out for 146 in reply with Barrow snaring 3-16 while Williams took 2-21 and Dallimore claimed 2-29. Albany and Districts D-section side finished their qualifying games with a 45-run victory over West Pilbara at Gil Fraser Reserve. However two losses on the opening two days, left out Albany and Districts out of semifinals contention. In round three on Wednesday, Albany and Districts posted 295 batting first on the back of a century from John Miell. Miell made 100 off 115 balls, which included 20 fours. Peter Ross added 69 and Robert Stan-Bishop also made 39 to get their side close to 300. West Pilbara were restricted to 7-250 in reply with Paul Pierce (2-33) and Graeme Weinert (2-68) the pick of the bowlers. The Albany and Districts D-section side lost their second straight game on Monday, going down to Bunbury and Districts at Hamer Park in round two. The 37-run defeat ended their title hopes. Bunbury and Districts posted 3-247 batting first as three batsmen reached half centuries. Tom Sutherland, James Morris and Weinert were the wicket takers. In reply, Albany and Districts could only manage 4-210 from their 50 overs. Jeremy Watson finished unbeaten on 64 while Miell made 63 and Ross added 61 but they fell short.