ADCA 2023-24: Mt Barker belt Royals to move seven points clear at the top of the A-grade standings

A faultless batting display from superstar all-rounders Jeremy Wood and Nathan Crudeli ensured Mt Barker secured a huge win over Royals in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. The Bulls’ eight-wicket win at Turf North moved them seven points clear of Lions at the top of the ladder and in the box seat to qualify directly into the grand final with three rounds to play. Bulls’ skipper Jeremy Wood scored an unbeaten 90 alongside Crudeli (43 not out) to put on 112 together as the pair chased 157 to win for the loss of only two wickets in the 45th over. Jeremy Wood’s sensational knock came from 120 deliverers and included four fours and five sixes while Crudeli belted four boundaries. Lions’ Lorcan McNamara (1-13) secured the wicket of Bulls opener Alex Fergie (0) on the third ball of the innings before Hayden Davies skittled Nathan Crosby for 22 to have the Bulls 2-45 in the 20th over. After winning the toss and batting, the Lions had a nightmare start after Crudeli claimed opener Ted Batchelor for a royal duck before star batter Lincoln Joy (32) and Rhys Lewis (57) consolidated for an 88-run stand. At 2-109, the Lions had successfully rebuilt their innings before Paul Osborne and Crudeli tore through the Lions’ batting lineup. Osbourne claimed the huge wicket of Lions skipper Mitch Green (9) before adding the in-form Lewis and Matthew France (14) soon after to claim 3-25 in his 8.4-over spell. After their major batting collapse of 8-47, the Lions were rolled in the final over of the innings for 156. Crudeli’s pace was too much for Lions to handle as the quick took 3-40 from 10 overs. Patrick Butler was everywhere in the field claiming two catches and also getting a run out. The one-day win has the Bulls seven points clear of their archrivals on top and both teams have two games remaining in the regular season. On Friday night the Bulls were five-wicket winners of the T20 grand final over Park.