Mt Barker hand County first loss

Mt Barker have produced a rousing bonus point victory without captain Jeremy Wood, inflicting North County with their first defeat of the season on the back on another brilliant knock from opener Nathan Crosby.

Crosby has started the new Albany Cricket Association A-grade season in sparkling touch and that continued in round 3 with an unbeaten century guiding the undermanned Bulls to a terrific total batting first.

Wood, keeper Luke Hammond and Phil Baker all missed the clash but their absence was not felt with the bat as the Bulls reached 4-228 from their 45 overs with Crosby and veteran Graham Wright anchoring the innings.

After scores of 50 and 66 in the first two matches, Crosby blasted his way to triple figures late in the innings and finished with 110 not out. He smacked 11 boundaries and one six, which brought up the century and shared in a defining 111-run partnership with Wright.

After a wayward start from import Riecko Parker-Cole with the ball, young star Michael Ferreira kept things tight at the other end and fellow youngster James Plowman eventually snared the first wicket of Alex Fergie for eight.

Jason Jones made a quick fire 29 before becoming one of two Paul Osborne victims but a patient 51 from Wright along with Crosby’s heroics helped them pass 200.

A 41-run opening stand from Aaron Williams and Michael Ferreira at more than four runs per over had the Bulldogs on track but three quick wickets turned the chase around.

Steven Scott removed Michael Ferreira on 21 and brother Matthew Ferreira found himself run out for a duck soon after and when Scott also snared Williams (23) the Bulldogs were 3-51.

Parker-Cole needed little time to settle and he looked threatening only to be trapped in front by Fergie on 34.

Two balls later and the Bulls had another, this time Craig Tonkin also out lbw to Fergie without troubling the scorers and skipper Neil Ferreira had eked his way to 20 but was also undone by Fergie.

Scott Ganzer provided plenty of resistance, even after injuring himself and requiring a runner, with an entertaining 38 but the craft of Fergie ensured a comfortable Bulls win.

Fergie finished with 5-36 from his nine overs and Scott snared the final wicket as he claimed 3-35 with the Bulldogs dismissed for 168.