In-form Manypeaks out to upset flag fancies Denmark in ADCA B-grade grand final

Denmark will be chasing an elusive B-grade premiership when they face Manypeaks in Saturday’s Albany and Districts Cricket Association grand final.

The Magpies have been the team to beat in this season’s B-grade competition and prevailed in a thrilling qualifying final last Saturday to reach the decider.

In the ADCA the Magpies have only won a C-grade premiership and withdrew from the A-grade competition before the 2020-21 season.

The Magpies have lost only two matches this season and boast a host of top talent, including the competition’s leading run scorer Matt Burton, former first grade cricketer Campbell Robertson and young stars Jed Schwarzbach and Ethan Forman.

Veteran Peter Ross will captain the Magpies in their bid to claim their first B-grade title and strengthen their chances of returning to the top grade.

Peaks have come through an elimination final and then a preliminary final after some heroics from Gary McGlade and will be chasing their first premiership since 2020-21.

That victory capped a flag three-peat for Peaks but they fell short in the grand final last season, losing to Royals.

Peaks finished third on the ladder and knocked out the reigning premiers in the elimination final before scoring 232 in their 53-run preliminary final win over Collingwood Park on Sunday.

McGlade made 43 and 94 in Peaks’ two finals wins last weekend while youngster Angus McSweeney will play a key role at the top of the order and seamers Wade Anning and Thomas Sutherland will also be vital to their hopes of upsetting the Magpies.

Peaks will also be buoyed by the fact they beat the Magpies in their most recent encounter, claiming a 48-run win.

Sutherland took four wickets and McSweeney made a half century in the round 13 result.

The Magpies won the other fixture between the two sides in round eight, cruising to a seven-wicket win back in December.

The B-grade grand final will start at 12.30pm on Turf East.

Narrikup and Park will square off in the C-grade grand final at Hard North from 1pm, for the second straight season.

Park will be out to win back-to-back premierships after downing Peaks in Saturday’s preliminary final while after finishing on top of the ladder and progressing directly into the decider, Narrikup will be hoping to end a run of grand final heartbreak.

The under-14s grand final will be played on Saturday morning between Denmark and the Warriors at Turf East while Park and the Lions will do battle for the under-17 title on Sunday at Turf North.

ALBANY AND DISTRICTS CRICKET ASSOCIATION GRAND FINALS

Saturday

Under-14s - Denmark v Warriors at Turf East, 7.50am

A-grade - Mt Barker v Royals at Turf North, noon

B-grade - Denmark v Manypeaks at Turf East, 12.30pm

C-grade - Narrikup v Collingwood Park at Hard North, 1pm

Sunday

Under-17s - Collingwood Park v Royals at Turf North, 11am