Bulls fall short in finals bid

Reigning premiers Railways have ended Mt Barker’s slim chances of making finals in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition, after their convincing six-wicket bonus-point win in round 14 on Saturday. The Bulls sat more than a game outside the top four and had to win their clash with the Tigers to stay alive, but their total of 125 batting first was simply not enough. It was a tough ask after the Bulls slow start to the season, winning one of their first six games. The Bulls slumped to 4-58 after being sent in and were all out for 125 as Tigers spinner Simon Harvey added another four wickets to his growing tally this season. Experienced duo Alex Fergie and Nathan Crosby got their side off to a good start, putting on 49 before Fergie was caught behind for 21. The Bulls then lost Crosby (24), captain Jeremy Wood and Clayton Wood within a few overs to leave their side in all sorts of trouble. A 42-run stand from Jason Jones and Luke Hammond ensured the Bulls would surpass 100 but Harvey claimed Jones (20), Tim Shephard (0), and Luke Hammond (22) all in one over to put the Bulls in a spin. Harvey claimed 4-18 off six overs and now has 32 wickets in a very productive season while Nathan Crudeli and Ryan Tindale chipped in with two scalps each. The Tigers were 2-32 early in the chase before Coen Marwick and Brendan Crudeli steadied the ship with a 45-run partnership. Marwick fell on 40 and then Jeremy Wood snared his second wicket, removing Aubin Spurr for a duck. Any Bulls hopes were snuffed out by Brendan Crudeli, who compiled a terrific 45 not out to guide the Tigers home in the 34th over. In just his fourth game of the season, Brendan Crudeli has been a vital addition to the Tigers middle order with 155 runs from three innings at an average of 155. Jeremy Wood (2-31) was the pick of the Bulls bowlers but their season will not extend past the final round, still nine points adrift of the fourth-placed Royals.