ADCA 2024-25: Albany and Districts claim fourth Belt-Up Country Cup with three-wicket win over Peel

Albany and Districts Cricket Association overcame a tricky run chase to secure the Belt-Up Country Cup with a three-wicket win over Peel, capping an unbeaten run in the regional tournament. The Whalers produced a stunning bowling performance to bowl Peel out for just 138 in the final over of their innings before hunting down the total in less than 30 overs. The Whalers booked a spot in the final at Clayton Road Oval in Narrogin on Sunday after finishing the pool games undefeated with three straight victories. The reigning Boan Cup champions’ last Country Cup win came in 2021-22 and it is their fourth in the competition’s 41-year history. Star all-rounder Ryley Valli was outstanding across both innings, taking 2-20 from 10 overs before a swashbuckling knock of 61 set up the Whalers’ run chase and was named player of the match. Captain Coen Marwick believed this triumph was the “passing of the torch” as the Whalers unearthed a swag of young emerging cricketers. “It’s definitely a golden period for Albany cricket but I think it’s a little bit of a passing of the torch,” Marwick said. “Ryley’s (Valli) innings for a 20-year-old in a final was unbelievable and it took the game away from them pretty quickly. “If we can keep this group together, we can do well in future. “This young core is what we’re looking to take to country week and if we can get a similar group together I can’t see why we can’t go back-to-back.” Marwick insisted his side’s victory was built by their bowling innings and believed they could win anywhere, anytime. “Our win was 100 per cent set up by the bowling and fielding,” he said. “Our standards were exceptional, led by Hayden (Davies) who took early wickets and then everyone who bowled from there stuck to the plan. “When we do that we’re a really good unit and a really tough side to beat. “Any time, any place, we will win.” Valli belted three fours and five sixes in his 64-ball knock but was the final wicket in a middle-order collapse in which the Whalers lost 3-3. Despite their stumble through the middle overs, dangerman Marwick remained at the crease and put together a solid 30-run fifth-wicket partnership with Jack Pope to steady the ship. Needing 16 for victory, the Whalers lost three more wickets before Marwick closed out the innings in style, belting three fours and two maximums in his unbeaten 41 from only 37 balls. Earlier, the Whalers lost the toss and bowled first but restricted Peel to under 150. Seamer Hayden Davies was sublime at the top, taking two early wickets in the powerplay to finish with 3-29 from nine overs, while Marwick, Joe Stanley and Ryan Davies all pinched one. After stumbling to 3-23, Peel’s Daniel Baker (35) and Timothy Miles (34) consolidated for a vital 54-run stand, before Valli trapped Baker in front to break the partnership and spark another collapse. Peel were 8-92 before a crucial 34-run ninth-wicket stand from Alex Osborne (20) and Oliver Herrington (18) lifted them above 100 late in the innings.

ADCA 2024-25: Albany and Districts claim fourth Belt-Up Country Cup with three-wicket win over Peel

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