Kinnear ton worth the wait as Peaks leap to second

An unbeaten century to Manypeaks opener Ryan Kinnear has helped his side to a vital win over Denmark and lifted them from last place to second on the ladder, in a rain-affected round 7 Albany Cricket Association A-grade contest at McLean Park.

Kinnear, a long-time captain of Peaks, had to survive two rain delays on his way to a maiden century which was typical of his patient, tempered nature as he batted through the reduced 45-over innings.

With his previous best ACA A-grade score of 87 against the Magpies in 2010-11 and his career best of 93 not out playing for St Mary’s in the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association, Kinnear overcame a slow start to glide his way to triple figures as Peaks amassed 1-231 from 45 overs, after five overs were lost because of rain.

After a 145-run opening standing with Bryce Durack, Kinnear pushed on towards a ton but he was left on 84 not out when play was stopped after the 39th over.

Play resumed for two more overs before rain forced them from the field again, this time Kinnear nervously sitting on 99 not out and when they went back out he had just four overs remaining in the innings.

However his patience was rewarded as he notched a maiden century and went on to finish unbeaten on 124 to go with a solid contribution from new skipper Craig Sinclair (27).

The Magpies were set a revised target of 261 under the Duckworth-Lewis method and they made a terrific fist of the daunting chase courtesy of opening pair Jeff Atkinson and Matt Burton.

They shared in an 85-run stand as the Magpies went at seven runs an over in the first 10 before Burton fell on 45 to Wade Anning.

Atkinson then launched into the Peaks attack as he blasted his way past 50, but the loss of Dan Robson (8) and Shawn Meek (0) in consecutive Brendan Grogan deliveries halted the Magpies’ momentum to leave them 3-123.

Grogan then removed the dangerman, bowling Atkinson for 77 to trigger a Magpies collapse.

They lost 6-19 to slump to 9-161.

Tailenders Fynn Underwood and Jason Benson put on 39 runs for the final wicket to get the home side to 200.

But Benson was eventually run out on 13, leaving Underwood 23 not out as the Magpies fell 61 runs short in the 44th over.

Grogan was superb with 4-42 while Anning (1-36) and Bailey Cavanagh (2-25) were also effective with the ball for the winners.