Albany and Districts hopes of reaching Country Cup final thwarted in heavy loss to Bunbury and Districts

Albany and Districts’ pursuit of back-to-back Belt Up Country Cup titles were crushed on Sunday, falling to Bunbury and Districts in a heavy 97-run loss in round three at Turf North. The Whalers finished their campaign on one win and two losses while Bunbury secured a grand final spot against Peel after their third win from as many games. With Bunbury and Districts winning the toss and electing to bat first, they posted a strong total of 8-197 with the Whalers managing only 100 in reply in a flat run chase. The Whalers were buoyed by a shrewd run out from Ryan Kinnear in the third over, removing opener Mitchell Boyle for a duck. Coen Marwick snared the important scalp of Tyne Dodds (18) before Alex Garlick had the wicket of Bradman May (32) after Caleb Haua took a simple catch at mid-on to leave the visitors at 3-78. Speedster Nathan Crudeli knocked over the wicket of Robbie Dawson (21) before Blake Malatesta (9) was trapped in front by Kinnear after attempting a reverse sweep in the 31st over. With scores at 5-97, Jonah Lincoln (9) and Cody Ryan (13) put on a 33-run stand before Ryan fell to Scottish spinner Ollie Davidson. Lincoln suffered the same fate shortly after as Davidson crashed into his stumps in the 43rd over. However Brayden Clarke smashed 48 runs off 64 balls and he was helped by Liam Renton (21) as Bunbury and Districts posted a strong total of 8-197 from their 50 overs. Davidson was effective taking 2-32 from his 10 overs to be the only multiple wicket taker while Crudeli toiled hard to return 1-31 from his 10. Despite a steady start from openers Alex Fergie (3) and Lincoln Joy (12), both fell in the space of three balls in the ninth over. Joy was run out and Kieran Howie didn’t last much longer at the crease, caught behind cheaply to leave the home side in early bother at 3-19. Country week final hero Zane Verhaaf was again in the thick of the action, dismissing Fergie and Howie, and continued his destructive spell with the ball, snaring the all-important wicket of Crudeli (9) with a peach of a delivery. Dawson trapped Marwick in front for three before Zerhaaf clattered into the stumps of Davidson (9) to take his fourth scalp. Seb Stanton and Alex Garlick shared in a 23-run partnership but Stanton was removed for 10 to leave the Whalers in all sorts of strife at 7-66. Garlick showed some resistance with a hardy 28 but he lacked support as the Whalers were skittled for 100 in an abrupt end to their Country Cup campaign. Verhaaf was electric with the ball, snaring 4-20 in a classy display while Clarke (2-20) and Riley Mammone (2-22) also snared multiple wickets.