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Bulls firm for Twenty20 semifinal

Headshot of Cameron Newbold
Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser

Mt Barker are in the box seat to qualify for the semifinals of the Albany Cricket Association Twenty20 competition after a successful afternoon on Saturday, winning both their short-format matches.

The Bulls recorded two wins from their respective round 3 and 4 matches. They head into the final three rounds this weekend as one of two undefeated sides and are in a favourable position to be one of the four semifinalists.

After a win over Collingwood Park to kickstart their T20 campaign last week, the Bulls continued their strong form as they crushed Manypeaks by nine wickets and then notched a five-wicket win over North County.

Mt Barker’s Jeremy Wood bowls against Manypeaks.
Camera IconMt Barker’s Jeremy Wood bowls against Manypeaks. Credit: Albany Advertiser

The Bulls’ bowling unit was again formidable as they ripped through the Peaks’ batting line-up — missing key duo Harry Broomhall and Ryan Kinnear — to set up the first win of the day.

Tim Shephard was the only Peaks player to reach double figures as they were rolled for 61, with Jarrad Gardner taking 3-17 including Shephard’s key wicket on 27.

Manypeaks' Tim Shephard cuts against Mt Barker.
Camera IconManypeaks' Tim Shephard cuts against Mt Barker. Credit: Albany Advertiser

Tim Fitzgerald snared 3-15 and skipper Jeremy Wood’s four overs went for just nine runs to ensure it would be a small run chase.

The Bulls made light work of the target, losing only Alex Fergie for 12 along the way as they won with nine overs to spare in comfortable fashion, with Nathan Crosby (25 not out) and Wood (11 not out) finding touch at the crease.

In their second match, the Bulls again bowled first, but a fighting half century from Neil Ferreira and contributions from James Plowman and Tyler Crommelin for their opponents ensured a much harder target to chase down.

Ferreira made a superb 70 at the top of the order before eventually falling on the final ball of the innings to Fitzgerald, ending an 83-run partnership with young Plowman, who finished unbeaten on 25. The Bulldogs reached 4-124 in their 20 overs and Plowman snared the vital early breakthrough when he removed the Bulls’ Fergie on 11.

Mt Barker’s Nathan Crosby.
Camera IconMt Barker’s Nathan Crosby. Credit: Albany Advertiser

Gardner combined with Crosby thoughb to steady the Bulls’ innings until the latter fell on 33, and an over later Lee Douglas was out for a duck to leave his side 3-79.

Gardner was the mainstay of the Bulls’ innings as his 48 to go with contributions from Fitzgerald (16) and Wood (13 not out) guided their side to victory with 18 balls to spare. The Bulls were 3-102 after 15 overs before they took 14 runs off Jed Langslow despite losing two wickets, and then scored 14 runs off Tyler Crommelin to wrap things up quickly.

The Bulls face Railways, Denmark and Royals in the final three matches this weekend.

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