Kieran Howie blasts first A-grade century to help Manypeaks beat Collingwood Park in high-scoring contest

Hard-hitting Manypeaks opener Kieran Howie blasted a superb maiden century as his side prevailed in a high-scoring contest against Collingwood Park on Saturday. In round six of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition, Howie’s terrific form continued with a swashbuckling ton that put Peaks in the box seat for victory. However, a fighting knock from the returning Brad Bootsma and some handy contributions around him made for a tense finish at Turf North as Park made a great fist of the large chase. Peaks held their nerve late in the game, securing a hard-fought 29-run win to remain well clear in second place on the ladder. After making 60 last week, Howie whacked a brilliant 114 from 103 balls to guide Peaks to their fourth victory of the season. Howie was at his destructive best at the top of the order and hit 10 fours and one six before being the last man out in his side’s big total of 5-244 from 50 overs. Sitting on 99 and with plenty of nerves, Howie bought up his ton with two through covers before raising his bat and helmet towards teammates. From the outset Howie was the aggressor with the bat and after the early dismissals of Regan Poett (5) and Seb Stanton (5) he brought up a half century during a strong 65-run partnership with Paul Donaldson. Peaks were going at just over four an over when Donaldson was caught for 21 but Howie raced into the 90s with back-to-back boundaries. He brought up his first A-grade century before late contributions from Ethan Drew (29no) and Ryan Kinnear (20no) in the final 10 overs to help Peaks almost reach 250. Park needed to score at just under five an over to secure victory and they started off brightly with Nick Barrow and Mitch Woods at the crease sharing in a 40-run opening stand before Barrow was trapped in front for 24. After the early onslaught Park were well ahead of the run rate but Peaks pegged that back approaching drinks as they took the wickets of Woods (22), Matt Herbele (14) and Jarrad Fuller (1) between overs 10-20 to leave Park 4-81. A 79-run stand between Nathan Dovey and Bootsma lifted the run rate again and had Park in the game, needed 135 runs from the final 20 overs. The senior pair did their best but the run rate continued to grow before Dovey was caught behind for 41. Bootsma, in his second A-grade match of the season, finished unbeaten on 72 and he combined with Jackson Davidson (20) late to add 56 runs together but their side fell short, ending up on 5-215. Paul Donaldson snared 2-33 off 10 overs to be the pick of the Peaks bowlers.