ADCA 2023-24: Denmark and Manypeaks to lock horns in B-grade final, Park and Pies do battle in C-grade decider

Manypeaks bundled Collingwood Park out of Albany and Districts Cricket Association B-grade premiership contention in straight sets on Sunday, to set up another grand final stoush with Denmark. The finals series were thrown a curveball early on Saturday after all three turf pitches were deemed unfit for play and the B-grade fixtures were all moved to synthetic wickets. Peaks claimed a 26-run win in their preliminary final against Park at Turf East on Sunday on the back of a superb knock from opener Bryce Durack. After being sent in to bat, Peaks scored 9-162 at the end of their 45 overs with Durack scoring a magnificent 64 runs from 108 balls at the top of the order which included a 52-run second-wicket stand with Angus McSweeney (19). Gary McGlade added 28 including three fours and one six in a 44-run partnership with Durack and Peaks were cruising at 2-134. Park then sparked a 7-28 collapse when Jackson Davidson sent Durack back to the pavilion and then Peter Darmody snared McGlade. Dustin Boyce then ran through Peaks’ tail claiming 3-23 from his eight overs. In their pursuit, Park failed to formulate any substantial partnerships and finished their 45 overs at 9-136. Their highest stand of 28 came from openers Jarrod Hansen (25) and Darmody (8) as the pair saw off Peaks’ openers Brendan Pollard and Owen Smith. Brent Sheridan then tore through Parks’ top order claiming 3-30 from nine overs before McGlade (3-13 from five) continued their wicket-taking frenzy through the middle order. Peaks now meet the Magpies in the B-grade decider for the second straight season. Park were forced to front up in the preliminary final, with key trio Jesse, Byron and Jaymon Spaanderman, after going down to Denmark by 25 runs in their qualifying final on Saturday at Tigerland. The Magpies made 6-201 in their batting innings led by a 109-run stand between Lachlan Otway and Campbell Robertson. Robertson scored an unbeaten 70 from 72 balls with five fours while Otway contributed a patient 29. Earlier, the Magpies lost Oliver Pluckhahn for a golden duck to Jaymon Spaanderman before Matthew Burton (30) and Liam Higgins (17) re-consolidated for a 31-run partnership. Davidson then combined with Michael Martain and Jesse Spaanderman to claim three quick wickets before the Magpies’ match-defining century sixth-wicket stand. Park skipper Jesse Spaanderman toiled for a well-made 62 in his side’s run chase after No.3 Dash Germinario added 25 before his side were rolled for 176 in the 44th over. Peaks’ terrific weekend started on Saturday with an incredible clutch 15-run elimination final win over the Bulls at Centennial Oval. After managing only 106 batting first, Peaks’ backs were against the wall with the Bulls 1-42 early in the chase. However, a devastating partnership between first-change bowlers Brendon Pollard and Luke Vlahov spelled doom for the Bulls’ season. The pair combined for seven wickets through the middle overs as the Bulls lost 9-49 and their title hopes ended. Vlahov took 4-20 from nine overs and Pollard claimed 3-27 from 7.3 overs. The C-grade grand final will be contested by Park and the Magpies who faced off in the qualifying final on Saturday. The Magpies progressed through to the C-grade grand final after handing Peaks a 41-run defeat in the preliminary final at McLean Park on Sunday. Skipper Damian Schwarzbach led the way with a superb unbeaten 75 as his side finished their batting innings 7-156 before rolling Peaks for just 115 inside 35 overs. After stumbling to 4-18 in their pursuit, Peaks worked their way back into the fixture through Peter Owen (41) and Sam Benson (35) who combined for a much-needed 82-run stand. But the Magpies bowlers found another gear picking up 6-15 to douse Peaks’ decider hopes. Nathan Benson starred with the ball snaring 4-17 from 7.2 overs. Park handed the Magpies a 36-run defeat in Saturday’s qualifying final after a strong batting performance led by Graeme Weinert, who scored a game-high 74 not out. Captain Darryl Robinson contributed a rapid unbeaten 47 which included two fours and three sixes as his side posted 2-218 at the end of their 40 overs. In reply, the Magpies struggled to maintain the required run rate and finished their 40 overs at 6-182. Damian Schwarzbach scored a team-high 65 while Tarik Hartfield made 22. Peaks defeated the Lions in their elimination final on Saturday by 55 runs at Hard North thanks to a George Sippe-inspired knock. Sippe scored 87 from just 60 deliveries and his side were all out for 203 inside 39 overs. In their defence, they rolled the Lions for just 148 in the 38th over to book themselves a preliminary final berth.