Peaks off to a flying start in Twenty20s

Manypeaks stamped themselves as genuine contenders in the newly introduced Albany Cricket Association A-grade Twenty20 competition with two impressive victories to start their campaign on Saturday.

Rounds 1 and 2 of the T20 format were played on Saturday afternoon and wins over Royals and then Collingwood Park have Peaks in the box seat to book a semifinal place on December 10.

Peaks were ruthless in their opening clash against the Lions as they made light work of the small total to cruise to an eight-wicket win, Ryan Kinnear (34 not out) and Craig Sinclair (36 not out).

After being forced to bowl first in the rain-affected 18-over reduced match at Hard North, Peaks did well to restrict the Lions to 6-101 after they had set a strong platform.

The Lions lost just one wicket and scored at six runs an over in the first 10 overs before Peaks put the clamps on their innings.

The run-outs of English import Shameer Ahmed (30) and Matt Wolfe (19) were crucial as Wade Anning produced 2-18 from his four overs, while Warwick Durack (0-23 off four) and opener Matt Hope (1-14) also bowled tight spells.

In the run chase Aran Tilbury crunched one six before falling for 12 and Harry Broomhall (13) failed to get going but it meant little as Kinnear and Sinclair combined for a 63-run partnership to secure victory.

Sinclair hit four boundaries in his unbeaten knock as Peaks won with more than four overs to spare and eight wickets in hand.

Facing Collingwood Park in their second fixture Peaks were again forced to bowl first but another disciplined display ensured they would chase only two more runs than their earlier game.

Anning snared the key wicket of big hitter Nathan Dovey for 22 in his only over. Durack bowled superbly to return 3-20 off his four-over spell, with no Park batsman passing 25 as they finished 8-103 at Turf West.

Peaks lost Tilbury and Broomhall early on, both falling to Tim Pyle, and when Sinclair was stumped off Ricky Weight they were 3-56 in the 12th over.

Kinnear and Durack pushed Peaks towards victory before Kinnear was run out by Ben Grey on 23 with his side still needing 28 to win.

Myles O’Meehan whacked a six and two fours in a late cameo as Durack pushed the ball around at the other end to leave Peaks with 17 runs to win from the final 18 balls.

O’Meehan departed for 22 but Durack (13no) and Anning (8no) ensured their side made it a second win for the day, reaching the target with five balls to spare.