Massive third wicket partnership pushes Peaks further clear in second spot

Manypeaks are a step closer to securing a finals berth after holding off a determined Railways in a high-scoring affair at Turf South on Saturday afternoon. A fighting 97 from Tigers captain Coen Marwick nearly caused an upset in the round 15 Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade fixture, but Peaks held their nerve at the death to record their fourth victory in the 50-over format. The result pushed Peaks nine points clear of the third-placed Royals and 17 points clear of the fourth-placed Tigers with five regular rounds left in the A-grade season. The top three teams will play in this year’s A-grade finals series. Marwick was the last wicket to fall in his side’s gallant run chase, as he came up three runs short of a century. The Tigers were 2-20 and then 3-50 before Marwick started to score freely but it appeared unlikely they would chase down 260. However, Marwick found valuable middle and lower-order contributors and the longer he remained at the wicket, the more it seemed a Tigers victory was achievable. A horrible mix up left Hayden Davies stranded on 18 and then Tim Edmunds was undone by canny spinner Ryan Kinnear on 15. Marwick hit only one six and three fours in his superb knock but his 114-ball stay ended when he was bowled by Kinnear. Kinnear was a big part of Peaks’ 49-run victory as he finished with 4-35 and youngster Charlie Walters snared 2-27. Marwick fell with five overs to go in the chase and scoring slowed from there, the Tigers finishing 8-210. Earlier a 126-run partnership from opener Regan Poett and hard-hitting South African Nathan Poole guided Peaks to a daunting total batting first. Poett’s outstanding form at the top of the order continued, amassing his highest A-grade score for Peaks. Poole badly tore his hamstring early in the season but in just his second game back plundered 79 from 75 balls and hit seven boundaries as he took the game away from the defending premiers. The big partnership ended when Marwick removed Poole as Peaks looked to up the scoring rate in the final 10 overs. Poett took his season run tally past 340 as he worked his way to 85 from 137 balls before he fell to Hayden Davies late in the innings. The duo, plus contributions from Seb Stanton (33) and Paul Donaldson, who crashed 27 from 18 deliveries, helped Peaks reach 5-259.