Whalers on the board in A-section

Albany Cricket Association recorded their first win of the A-section division at senior country week cricket against West Pilbara at RA Cook Reserve yesterday.

The Whalers suffered a 66-run loss to open their campaign on Sunday against Geraldton but a win yesterday revived their hopes of reaching the finals on Thursday and Friday as they chase a 15th Boan Cup.

Today the Whalers face a must-win clash with Peel, the winner almost certain to finish second and reach tomorrow’s semifinals.

West Pilbara won the toss and batted yesterday to reach 129 all out after a five-wicket haul by fast bowler and Whalers captain Nathan Crudeli.

Michael Ferreira bowled Daniel Carse for 58 to leave West Pilbara 4-98 but they lost 6-31 as Crudeli returned to take three wickets in his second spell.

Crudeli finished with 5-46 from his 13 overs, including knocking over key man Corey Rutgers for 13, as his side prepared to chase 130 for victory.

Fellow fast bowler Ben Grey also impressed, taking 3-25 from 9.3 overs, while Michael Ferreira (1-18 from six) and Aubin Spurr (1-9 off two) were the other wicket takers.

In their run chase the Whalers were cruising at 4-97 but the loss of hard-hitter Coen Marwick for an entertaining 40 runs off 25 balls sparked a collapse.

The Whalers slumped to 8-107, which included losing Crudeli (17 off 45), before Grey and Spurr rescued the innings.

The pair shared in a 33-run tense ninth wicket stand as they helped the Whalers reach victory with two wickets in hand and inside 30 overs.

Spurr eventually went for 16 and Grey finished unbeaten on 30 at the other end as Ted Batchelor (3) was the last man out for the Whalers who posted 158 in reply.

On Sunday, the Whalers were in a strong position at 2-139 from 35 overs at lunch against Geraldton but a batting collapse cost them.

English import Jujhar Johal and Crudeli shared in a brilliant 129-run partnership but were out soon after lunch as the Whalers crashed to be dismissed for 206.

Crudeli top scored with 77 and Johal produced a fine knock of 72 but it was not enough as Geraldton posted 7-271 in reply.

Clint Yeates (75) and Cody Bone (87) did the damage for Geraldton as Crudeli (2-23 from 12) and Marwick (2-83 from 16) were the multiple wicket takers.

In B-section, Albany’s second XI were thrashed by 159 runs on Sunday against Great Southern Cricket Association.

Tim Shephard and Neil Ferreira both made 29 in the total of 106 but three wickets each to Tom Sutherland and Neil Ferreira couldn’t stop their opponents making 265.

Yesterday the second XI fared much better making 8-300 batting first after a superb century to Neil Ferreira.

Neil Ferreira made 128 not out and Tom Wolfe chipped in with 37 in their big total before restricting Busselton-Margaret River to 182 with Hayden Davies taking 3-24.

Jeremy Watson made 99 as Albany’s third team also lost their first E-section match on Sunday, falling 15 runs short against Exmouth.

In their second match yesterday Albany thrashed Northam who posted 9-132 batting first with Jake Poad snaring 3-20.

A 152-run partnership between Tom Sutherland and Watson however ensured an Albany victory as they made 7-381 in their 50 overs.

Sutherland made 135 at the top of the order and Watson retired on 101.