Mt Barker record second straight double-bonus-point victory with thrashing of Railways to remain undefeated

For the second week in a row, Mt Barker have recorded a thumping double-bonus-point victory as they thrashed Railways by 171 runs in round six of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association on Saturday. Veterans Neil Ferreira and Paul Osborne made their first appearances for the Bulls’ A-grade outfit this season and played a leading hand in the resounding victory at Turf South. The Bulls moved 11 points clear on top of the standings as a result of their fifth straight victory, while the Tigers have one win from their first five matches this season. Ferreira produced an impressive innings of 56 as the Bulls set a strong total batting first, and then Osborne chipped in with terrific figures of 4-3 as the Tigers were no match in reply. Hayden Davies removed Alex Fergie with the second ball of the match and then fellow opener Nathan Crosby was dismissed by Coen Marwick in the fourth over as the Bulls got off to a shaky start. However they Bulls steadied the ship through experienced heads Jeremy Wood and Nathan Crudeli, who shared in a 64-run partnership. Wood and Crudeli found the boundary regularly and the Tigers were left to rue a catch falling just short off Crudeli’s bat early in his innings and then he survived a run out opportunity. Mohit Jaggi had Jeremy Wood caught for 25 in his first over and then Nathan Poole’s stay was short lived as Jaggi trapped him in front in his third over as the Bulls fell to 4-78. Ferreira joined Crudeli who was sitting on 44 at the time and that pair rotated the strike easily as they shared in 50-run stand. Crudeli was eventually caught for a vital 73 but Clayton Wood came out and he and Ferreira continued to score freely. Ferreira and Clayton Wood piled on 82 runs together to push their side past 200 before the latter was caught behind for 44. The only blow for the Bulls was Jarrad Gardner injuring a calf when he came out to bat but Ferreira finished unbeaten on 56 to guide the Bulls to a match-winning total of 6-233 from their 50 overs. Marwick snared 2-30 off 10 overs, four of which were maidens, and Jaggi was the other multiple wicket taker with 2-53. The Tigers always had a big task in front of them and Billy O’Meara was caught behind with the first ball of the second over. Poole then secured the huge breakthrough of Marwick in his next over and despite some middle order resistance from Ryan Davies (24) and Jaggi (19) they were bowled out for just 62. Osborne bowled 7.3 overs for his figures of 4-3 while Jonte Eastough (2-2) provided great support as the Bulls’ winning ways continued.