ADCA 2023-24: Crudeli steers Bulls to victory over Park while Royals smash Peaks in rain-affected round 15

Mt Barker and Royals each secured victories in rain-affected round 15 matches on Saturday to maintain their spots in the top two of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition. Inclement weather caused a stir early on Saturday delaying the start of play to 1pm and both games were reduced to 42-overs per side, but Nathan Crudeli led the Bulls’ charge to a 20-run victory over Collingwood Park at Turf North to stay within reaching distance of the ladder-leading Lions. The star all-rounder claimed his first five-wicket haul of the season and scored a game-high 37 runs to steer his side to a clutch win over Park. After setting Park 138 for victory, the Bulls made an electrifying start with Crudeli dismantling Park’s top order, claiming the first three wickets including Brock Tiede for a royal duck. At 3-20 Park’s innings was in turmoil but captain Mitch Jackson (13) and vice-captain Andrew Hagnhofer (26) combined for a much-needed 32-run stand. When Alex Fergie dismissed Hagnhofer and Buddy Robinson (0) in back-to-back deliveries Park were left in all sorts of trouble at 6-62. Sam Keeling-Wright plundered a quick-fire 19 to give his side a glimmer of hope before being stumped by Neil Ferreira with a horribly unfortunate rebound off the gloveman’s foot. With seven overs to go Park were nine down and needed 28 runs before Crudeli cleaned up the tail with a Jonte Eastough screamer gifting the Bulls a well-earned victory. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Bulls’ top order found frequent starters in Fergie (24), Jeremy Wood (25) and Crudeli (37) and were cruising at 2-104. However, the game took a drastic turn after a catastrophic batting collapse had the Bulls lose 7-33 to close out the innings. Skipper Jackson spearheaded Park’s attack with 3-23 from his 7.4 overs while Jed Schwarzbach added to the Bulls’ batting woes collecting 3-29 off eight. Park claimed the scalps of Patrick Butler (3) Jack Pope (0) Ryan Gaerth (3) and Clayton Wood (1) in the space of five overs before Jackson’s relentless attack added his third wicket of the match when he skittled Crudeli. The Bulls were rolled for 137 in the 38th over. In the other A-grade fixture, the Lions coasted to a 40-run victory over Peaks at Turf South, solidifying their position at the top of the standings. The Lions’ top order found starts with captain Mitch Green (31) and Ted Batchelor (17) putting on a 60-run opening stand. Lions’ No.3 Lincoln Joy scored a run-a-ball 46 before skying an on-drive, while Angus Thompson contributed 14 runs with the tail before they were dismissed for 169 in 38 overs. Peaks struggled with their lines bowling 22 wides out of their 24 extras but Kane Pinney’s 3-49 was the standout performance with the ball. Jeremy Stewart, Owen Smith and Ryan Kinnear each claimed two wickets. Peaks struggled to formulate any significant partnerships in their run chase, their greatest coming for the eighth wicket when the game was all but over. Kinnear’s 36 and Cam Walsh’s unbeaten six added 32 runs for the eighth wicket before Peaks finished their 42 overs, well shy of the Lions total. On Friday, the Bulls stormed to a 52-run triumph over Peaks in their final T20 fixture at Turf North. The Bulls posted 140 at the end of their 20 overs with Crudeli smashing 57 from 42 balls which included six fours and one six. Steven Scott added 16 while Clayton Wood and Fergie each contributed 13. Regan Christensen led Peaks’ bowling attack with 3-33 from four overs. Six of Peaks’ batters were dismissed for a single-figure score before Walsh (21) and Kinnear (17 not out) proved some respite. Peaks batted out the 20 overs to finish 8-88. The Bulls used eight different bowlers but Scott was the only multiple wicket taker with 2-9. The T20 grand final will be between the Bulls and Park on Friday, February 16.