ADCA 2025-26: A-grade games washed out for second week in a row, replaying fixtures to be discussed as option

For the second straight week senior games were washed out with Albany and Districts Cricket Association to discuss the possibility of replaying fixtures after a frustrating start to the new season. All three A-grade games were abandoned without a ball being bowled on Saturday, coming after two of the three round-two matches being called off due to rain last week. The grand final replay between Mt Barker and Railways was set to be the highlight of round three but Turf North along with Turf South where Collingwood Park and Royals were set to meet were both ruled unsafe. Denmark and Manypeaks also couldn’t get on at McLean Park’s synthetic wicket in Denmark. Round one on October 18 was completed with wins to the Bulls, Peaks and Magpies before the Bulls made it two from two when their clash with the Magpies at McLean Park in Denmark was the only round two game that was completed. Heavy rain on Friday and Saturday morning has hampered efforts to play senior games in the past fortnight, with the ADCA making the move to call off all three A-grade contests in round three on Saturday due to wet turf wickets. The ADCA will meet on Monday night to discuss possible options, with president Ryan Tindale flagging that replaying the five abandoned games across two rounds is on the cards. “At our meeting we will decide what we want to do with the washouts,” Tindale said. “If possible to replay them and if that is the case, then when we would replay them. “It will be up to the clubs and what they want to do. “That is the strategy we want and we’ll work through those points.” Tindale said with only a handful of games completed, it had been a frustrating start to the 2025-26 campaign. “We also have an issue with the amount of grounds, some are not available at the moment which is making it hard,” he said. “Hard North is not playable when wet so there are some factors. “The decision to move A-grade to hard wickets is not simple, as we have B-grade and C-grade games to consider.” This week’s forecast looks more favourable according to Tindale with A-grade games split across Saturday and Sunday due to the Albany Agricultural Show. There were some games completed in B-grade and C-grade in round three on Saturday, however. Manypeaks scored a tense nine-run win over Narrikup in a game played at Proctor Oval in Manypeaks while Royals and Railways played 21 overs of their contest at Keep the Sheep Stadium before it was abandoned after a heavy shower. Jordan Draper had belted 59 from 39 balls, including four sixes to put the Tigers in command at 3-111 from 21 overs before a heavy shower ruined any chance of a result. At Proctor Oval, Peaks reached 6-143 batting first after strong contributions from Owen Smith (36), Bryce Durack (28) and Neil Jones (26). Smith led the way with the ball claiming 3-31 from eight overs as Narrikup posted 8-134 in the reduced 40-over per side game. Opener John Miell made an impressive 53 to give the visitors a chance in the chase. Meanwhile in the C-grade, Collingwood Park were three-wicket winners over Manypeaks at Collingwood Park and Narrikup downed Albany Sharks in Narrikup.