Barker blitz County while Peaks defend small total

Mt Barker’s hopes of reaching the finals in their maiden season in the Albany Cricket Association A-grade competition received a significant boost after their double bonus-point demolition of North County at Sounness Park on Saturday afternoon.

Playing their second match of the season at their home venue, the Bulls went in without skipper Jeremy Wood but proved far too strong for the Bulldogs in their first match-up in the one-day format.

Set 94 for victory, the Bulls made light work of the run chase as openers Nathan Crosby and Alex Fergie set up the emphatic seven-wicket result, each passing 30.

The pair shared in a 60-run opening stand before Fabian Bolton removed Fergie on 34, but the visitors could not stem the runs.

Crosby reached 31 before also falling to Bolton but an unbeaten 20 from Sam Newbury ensured the Bulls passed the small target in the 16th over to secure two vital bonus points.

That result helps the Bulls leap into second place on the standings after seven rounds of the one-day competition as they look to secure a finals berth in their first season at the top level.

The Bulldogs won the toss and batted first but felt the absence of captain Neil Ferreira and his sons Michael and Matthew as they slumped to 5-42 and were all out shortly after drinks.

Key man Craig Tonkin was snared cheaply by fast bowler Jacob Wintle, who then proceeded to make a mess of the visitors’ top order.

Wintle bowled Graeme Weinert for six and then opener Aaron Williams on 14 before Nathan Benson (11) was his fourth victim of the match.

Bolton top scored with 16 at number eight but Wintle’s superb spell was rewarded with a five-wicket haul as Jake Abbott became his final scalp.

Wintle returned 5-19 and Tim Fitzgerald chipped in with 3-10 as the Bulldogs were skittled for 93 inside 32 overs.

Meanwhile at Turf North, Manypeaks lifted themselves back into the top four with a tense 12-run win over Collingwood Park.

Peaks’ top order failed to fire but valuable contributions from all-rounder Jeremy Stewart (30) and Kelvin Tombleson (13) plus 33 sundries helped them scratch out 122 batting first.

Openers Nathan Dovey (22) and Ben Grey (12) made a solid start to the chase and Park were cruising to victory at 3-51.

Peaks continued to get breakthroughs, however, as Stewart (2-16), spinner Craig Sinclair (3-21) and Matt Hope (2-14) swung things back in their favour.

The trio each took one of the final three wickets as Park could only reach 110 in reply, handing Peaks six points.