Whalers rue late lapses

Albany Cricket Association first XI captain Ryan Kinnear has described the Whalers' senior country week campaign as another missed opportunity after consecutive losses to end the tournament cost them a place in Saturday's final.

Albany were left to rue a disastrous batting collapse against Upper Great Southern on Friday, while not enough runs was tale of their narrow loss to fellow title challenger Busselton-Margaret River on Thursday.

ACA lost 7-21 against the reigning A-section premiers Upper Great Southern in the virtual mini final.

Crashing to 9-70, spinner Dan Vernon (39) and paceman Nathan Crudeli (25 not out) combined to double the score and push the Whalers to 141 with a 71-run final wicket partnership.

But with Busselton defeating Geraldton to move ahead of Albany on percentage, a final-day triumph would not have been enough to reach the final because of Albany's below par total.

The Whalers made Uppers work hard for the win as their rivals passed the total six wickets down and went on to make 202.

It was the second consecutive year Albany has lost on the final day denying them a place in the final.

Kinnear said Friday's loss was a disappointing end to a promising week.

"We were pretty flat and just weren't up to it," he said. "Thursday, we simply didn't take our chances and just weren't clinical, but the boys showed a fair bit of heart to take it to the final over.

"We were pushing for those outrights earlier in the week and it took a lot out of us, and we didn't have the bowling depth. It's a long week."

On Thursday, Albany's total of 8-195 from their 60 overs was not enough as Busselton, led by 97 from key all-rounder Danny Hatton, saw them over the line with two overs to spare. Batsmen Zane Marwick (41) and Matt Clothier (43) had worked Albany to a solid position at 2-127 but their dismissals triggered a middle order collapse as Albany lost 4-17 and were forced to scrap to 195.

In his first season as captain, Kinnear said producing a stronger local competition would better prepare the squad in future years.

"It probably comes down to the strength of our own competition. We have to strengthen that," he said.