Cricket: Denmark celebrate!

Denmark captain Jeremy Newman has set his sights on making the finals after the club won its first A-grade game in almost three years on Saturday.

Led by a five-wicket haul from seamer Robbie Clark, the Magpies posted a 21-run victory over Royals to break through finally after a series of near-misses this season.

The win was the first in the top tier for the Magpies since defeating Railways in February 2008, with Newman hoping the victory would be the catalyst for more success this season.

“The club has got the gorilla off its back and now we will go onwards and upwards,” Newman said.

“We need to keep on improving, win more games and make the finals and that is what we are here for.

“All the young guys stood up and we bowled and batted well and held our catches for a change.”

Clark (5-45) was the hero for Denmark, with the 17-year-old showing great control to claim his first A-grade five-wicket haul.

Aided by an all-round performance from fellow youngster Matt Burton, Clark ensured the Lions were always behind the eight ball.

Set 184 for victory, the Lions lost promising opener Ben Higgs early before Wayne Harrington and the in-form Zubayr Abrahams got the chase back on track.

But both batsmen were dismissed in the 20s before the Lions slumped to 6-81 in the 29th over.

It looked set to be Groundhog Day for the Magpies, when rising star Nabil Abrahams hit out to put the Lions in reach of victory.

The South African made his way to a quick-fire 43 before Clark took a great return catch down low to put the Magpies again in the box seat.

To the Lions credit they kept coming, with Rhys Tilbury chipping in with some valuable lower order hitting.

But when he was caught behind off the bowling of Clarke for 14, the rout was complete with Denmark celebrating a well-deserved win.

It was a fitting end for all-rounder Geoff Parnell, who claimed 1-18 in his last game for the club.

“It’s a great way to go out, especially with a win against the first club I played with here,” Parnell said.

Royals captain Mark Hills also did not rule out playing finals despite the club joining Denmark on just one win from nine matches this season.

“I wouldn’t say it is out of reach and we are still a small chance,” he said.

“It was always going to be a rebuilding year for us and I think if we focus more on how we do things and less on the results then the rest will take care of itself.”

Got a story? Email brad.davidson@albanyadvertiser.com