Mixed bag for Albany and Districts Cricket Association under-14 sides at junior country week

The talented Albany Districts and Cricket Association under-14A side achieved mixed results at the junior country week tournament, while the under-14B team were left wanting.

The A side finished fourth after five group stage games and finals with a record of two wins and four losses.

They competed strongly in the one-day fixtures - winning two of their three 50-over matches - but struggled with the shorter format losing both T20s.

They showed glimpses of their potential throughout their tournament, highlighted by skipper Dash Germinario who led the competition in runs scored with 201 at an average of 33.5.

He steered his side to a brilliant 149-run win over Peel Country in their opening game of the campaign scoring 94 runs from 92 balls including six fours and a six.

Germinario again top-scored with 29 in their second-round loss to eventual runners-up Bunbury and Districts, before accumulating 34 in their round four win against Geraldton.

He also finished with four catches and two stumpings.

The A team had a chance to finish third but were defeated by Busselton-Margaret River in the third-placed playoff on Friday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Whalers had a horrific batting collapse through the middle overs and lost 7-33.

Lucas Baker provided some respite with 33 but they were eventually rolled for 133 in the 44th over.

The Whalers bowled tightly in their defence, led by Cooper Barlow who took 2-17 from five overs but did not take enough wickets to apply pressure on the chasing batters.

Busselton-Margaret River made the runs five down in the 44th over.

The B side did not manage to win a game throughout their six-match campaign, to finish second to last.

Despite not winning a fixture, they did come extremely close to getting off the mark.

In their round two T20, they fell just 11 runs short of victory against West Pilbara.

The B side produced a spectacular effort with the ball to restrict West Pilbara to just 97 runs at the end of their 20 overs.

However, in their pursuit they slumped to 6-36 and things began to look difficult.

Campbell Hare made a patient 19 as wickets continued to tumble around him to keep the hope of victory alive.

But the B side ran out of overs and failed to reel in the total.