ADCA 2023-24: Collingwood Park win third straight C-grade title with dominant eight-wicket smashing of Denmark

Collingwood Park secured a premiership three-peat in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association C-grade competition after a dominant eight-wicket win over Denmark on Saturday. Park rolled the Magpies for just 47 in the 17th over thanks to scintillating spells from openers Ian Waugh (5-21) and JP Swart (4-19) before taking just 11 overs to reel in the total to make it three straight grand final victories. While Waugh was named player of the match for his spectacular five-wicket haul, the medal could have easily gone to his fellow opener in what was ultimately the perfect bowling partnership. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Magpies were made to rue their decision after Park’s opening quicks tore through their top order in the most devastating fashion. The pair took nine wickets in their opening 10-over partnership, with no Magpies batter able to register a double figure score. Openers Lachlan Dunn and Matt Hartfield were dismissed in the first two overs for ducks and were soon joined in the shed by the entire middle order — none making more than eight runs each. Magpies’ Graeme King (1) and Damian Schwarzbach (11 not out) provided some resilience for a 14-run 10th-wicket stand before Graeme Weinert ended the innings when he removed King. In pursuit, Weinert made light work of the run chase, scoring an unbeaten 31 despite losing partners Paul Nielsen (7) and Steve Van Nierop (4) to seamer Nathan Benson. Weinert smacked Jake Schwarzbach back over his head for four to seal his side’s tremendous victory and start their celebrations a few hours early.