Strong results for Albany and Districts at the annual junior country week in Perth

Albany and Districts Cricket Association youngsters have returned strong results across four grades during the first three days of action at the annual junior country week competition in Perth. The under-16 A-section sat second on the standings after three wins and one loss from their first four games. Albany and Districts recorded convincing wins over Geraldton and Busselton-Margaret River on the first and second days and then recorded a third victory in their round-four clash against Wellington on Wednesday at Breckler Park. They dropped their first Twenty20 game to the currently undefeated Bunbury and Districts after being knocked over for 70 in the first innings, with Bunbury posting 5-85 in reply to hand Albany their first loss of the series. But the Albany young guns responded in dazzling fashion with a balanced display against Geraldton in the T20 match in round two. Peter Darmody (3-10) and Teague Valli (3-4) snared multiple wickets each as Geraldton were bowled out for 64 in the 20th over. Devon Jefferis (65 runs off 65 balls) and Rory Luscombe (28 off 30) led the way with the bat as they cruised to a strong total of 4-157. Another superb bowling display from Valli (3-2), Matthew Thompson (2-6) and O’Shea Durack (2-7) was the catalyst in their 50-over victory over Busselton-Margaret River in round three. Geraldton were skittled for 57 batting first before Buddy Robinson (87) and Jefferis (43) guided Albany and Districts to 7-178. The ADCA top team went on to beat Wellington in their round four clash after decimating their opposition’s batting line-up for just 35 with Valli snaring 3-4 to continue his outstanding week with the ball. In reply, Albany and Districts made 6-202 from 50 overs as Valli added a half century in the win. Valli finished with 67 from 75 balls and was well supported by contributions from Charlie Cousins (27) and Jefferis (27). The under-16 B-section side sat third in their pool standings with two wins and two losses at the completion Wednesday. The side suffered a painfully narrow loss to Northam by a single run in round one but comfortably accounted for Bunbury in round two with an 87-run triumph. Northam posted 6-141 batting first against Albany with Axle Pearce (2-7) and Ulrich Kriek (2-15) returning impressive bowling figures in the 40-over match. A classy half-century from Brock Herbert (51) and Kriek (30) got Albany within reach of an unlikely run chase but Max Harriss’ wicket fell cruelly in the last over at the hands of Northam’s Jacob Roberts as they finished all out for 140. Albany and Districts bounced back against Bunbury (50-over format) after knocks from Angus McSweeney (69) and Riley Bessen (42) helped them record a strong total of 219 before knocking them over for 132. The under-16 side lost to Peel in a T20 on Wednesday, bowled out for 96 after their rivals made 6-120 batting first. Albany and Districts bounced back in their second T20 on Wednesday, chasing down 110 to win. Heath Caldwell top scored with 45 while McSweeney added 32 as the ADCA made 6-125. Meanwhile, the under-14 A-section side recorded a first-up win in their 50-over battle with Bunbury after posting 183 with Lochie Otway (51), Adam Hetherington (25) and Jake Schwarzbach (25) leading the way. Chaz Durack was the pick of the bowlers for Albany and Districts with figures of 3-22 as Bunbury were bowled out for 109. Busselton-Margaret River made 160 against Albany and Districts on Wednesday in round three and they could only manage 152 in reply. Regan Christensen was the standout with 3-26 and then 69 with the bat. The under-14 B-section team were third in their pool after four games with wins over Bunbury and Districts and Esperance but lost to West Pilbara and Eastern Districts. Oscar Kerin (4-3) was impressive with the ball in their three-wicket win against Bunbury in the T20 match. West Pilbara were six-wicket winners over Albany in round two but the young side showed their mettle with a brilliant win over Esperance in the 45-over format. Cooper Barlow (66) excelled with the bat and he was well supported by Sam OToole-Gardner’s unbeaten 33. Albany and Districts made 180 bating first in round four on Wednesday but Eastern Districts chased down 181 to win. Evan Pretorius stood tall with 58 from 103 balls and 3-21 with the ball.