ADCA 2023-24: Bulls surge back into form with nine-wicket thumping, Lions only unbeaten team after three weeks

Last season’s grand finalists Mt Barker and Royals were both on the winners list in round three of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. The Bulls put aside a disappointing opening fortnight of 2023-24 to open their account with a crushing double bonus point win over Manypeaks while the Lions remain the only unbeaten team in the competition after a five-wicket triumph against Railways in a top of the table clash. In a game that was over quickly at Turf North, Peaks offered little resistance against a rampant Bulls bowling attack as they were demolished by nine wickets. Steven Scott and Jeremy Wood combined for eight wickets to set up their side’s first victory of their title defence. Left-armer Scott was on fire to start the innings after Peaks won the toss and batted first. Swinging the ball back in with great effect, Scott trapped both Regan Poett (4) and Ryan Kinnear (5) lbw and then snared the huge scalp of Paul Donaldson for a duck. The returning Seb Stanton was bowled by Scott on just four, to leave Peaks reeling at 4-36. Wood then joined the party as opener Angus McSweeney’s 37-ball stay came to an end and then Kane Pinney was clean bowled. Peaks slumped to 6-39 and they never recovered, as only import Ben Southern joined McSweeney in double figures. McSweeney made 15 at the top of the order and Southern hit two sixes to be unbeaten on 21 but their side was rolled for 74. With Scott (4-11) and Wood (4-14) doing the damage with the ball it was over to the Bulls’ top order. Southern claimed an early breakthrough, Nathan Crosby caught out on nine but the Bulls coasted to a huge win. Alex Fergie scored 40 from 34 balls and Neil Ferreira added 15 as the Bulls knocked off the small target in 10.3 overs for the loss of just one wicket. In a far more competitive game at Turf East, it was the Lions who put a halt to the early season form of the Tigers. The Lions, who finished runners-up last season, chased down 173 with 43 balls to spare. A powerful half century from Lions captain Mitch Green set his side on their way in the chase and he had plenty of middle order support. Lincoln Joy (26), Angus Thompson (29 not out) and Matt France (23 not out) made vital contributions, but Green scored quickly at the top to lead his side to their second straight win. Green hit five boundaries in his 53 from 59 deliveries, eventually falling to impressive Tigers all-rounder Joe Stanley. The job was nearly complete when Green fell, the Lions 4-127 and Ryley Valli was dismissed soon after but a 44-run stand from Angus Thompson and France sealed victory. Stanley was the only multiple wicket taker for the Tigers with 2-41 from his nine overs and skipper Coen Marwick returned 1-33 as they pushed the Lions to the 38th over. Earlier, the Tigers recovered from being 2-3 courtesy of an 88-run stand from Marwick and English young gun Stanley. Joy made the vital breakthrough, removing Marwick for 51 and then Milan Jaggi for a duck two balls later. Stanley played a patient innings with 56 from 117 balls before he fell to Matt Thompson. Lachlan Tindale produced a terrific middle order counter-punch with 47 from just 44 balls, including two sixes, as the Tigers reached 7-172 from their 45 overs. Matt Thompson was the pick of the Lions bowlers with 3-20 from eight and senior pair Joy (2-27) and France (2-32) also had crucial roles.