Weekend washout leaves hope for Denmark

A complete washout in Saturday’s round 14 Albany Cricket Association A-grade fixtures has left the door ajar for Denmark to still reach the finals, but the Magpies face three must-win games to close out the season.

The equation is simple for the bottom-placed Magpies: win all three games and be in contention with Collingwood Park and North County for third position on the ladder.

Railways and Manypeaks have already booked a place in the finals series with 48 points apiece, Peaks picking up nine points with their washout on Saturday and then an 87-run win over Park in Sunday’s sole fixture.

The Bulldogs moved to 30 points after their clash with Peaks was washed out and Park gained three points from their Saturday fixture before losing to Peaks on Sunday, where they improved their percentage. That improvement in percentage, however, pushed Park into third spot, with themselves and the Bulldogs having only two games remaining, and they play each other in one of those, while the Magpies have an extra game up their sleeve.

But it will be a big task for the Magpies, who have a home game against the Tigers in round 16 before away fixtures against Park and Peaks. ACA president Terry Eaton said the decision was made to abandon all Saturday fixtures due to the heavy rain.

“There was simply too much precipitation,” Eaton said.

“We were getting calls from all different grounds saying they were underwater.

“My understanding is that all fixtures were washed out and no chance to reschedule them.”