ADCA 2023-24: Mt Barker skipper Jeremy Wood relieved to get title defence rolling after tough start to season

Mt Barker captain Jeremy Wood said Saturday’s result was one they needed, his side demolishing Manypeaks to get their title defence rolling. The premiers of the last two seasons went winless in the opening fortnight of the 2023-24 Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition. However, a brilliant display with the ball, guided the Bulls to a crushing double bonus point win over Peaks on Saturday. 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. Wood said after the disappointment of their loss to Railways and then Royals, his side bounced back well in round three. “We needed a win that’s for sure,” he said. “You don’t want to be heading towards the end of the first round of fixtures without a win. “We are moving forward in a positive direction.” Steven Scott and Wood combined for eight wickets to set up their side’s first victory of their title defence. The first four wickets of the game went to left-arm swing bowler Scott, in a match-winning opening spell. “Scotty bowled really well, and it was good to see,” Wood said. “That’s probably the best he’s bowled in a couple of years. “As a group we got reward for effort which was nice.” Peaks won the toss and batted first but Scott was on fire swinging the ball back in with great effect to trap 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 for 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 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. The Bulls collected eight points in the rout, moving them from the bottom of the table up to third as a result.