Mt Barker suffer second loss of the season after eight-wicket defeat to Peaks heading into finals

Manypeaks finished the Albany and Districts Cricket Association regular season with a confidence-boosting victory over minor premiers Mt Barker at Turf North on Saturday. Peaks finished second on the A-grade ladder but after an ADCA executive meeting a points ratio was determined across games played. As a result Royals had played one less game than Peaks and officially finished in second place on the ratio. The Bulls, who were without Nathan Crudeli, lost their second game of the season while Peaks earned a bonus point in the process. A top bowling performance was the catalyst for Peaks’ eighth victory that ensured they finished the regular season on a winning note. The Bulls were bowled out for just 112 before Peaks chased down the total inside 27 overs to secure a strong victory on the eve of finals. Experienced pair Alex Fergie and Jeremy Wood put on 28 for the opening wicket before Jonathan Brodala removed Fergie for 15 and then in his next over dismissed Clayton Wood for a duck. Neil Ferreira’s stay was short-lived before Brodala struck again, bowling Jeremy Wood for 13 as the Bulls fell to 4-42. Nathan Crosby and Jarrad Gardner combined for 19 runs before Crosby fell to Jack Stephens and Gardner followed soon after, dismissed for 16 as Stephens picked up his third scalp. Steven Scott provided some resistance as he took the lead role in a 29-run stand with Noah Middleton before he fell for 25. The Bulls lost 4-20 at the end to be bowled out in 44 overs. Brodala finished with 3-21 and fellow seamer Stephens was also terrific with 3-34, while Ryan Kinnear snared 2-12. The run chase was trouble-free for Peaks as Kieran Howie and Regan Poett shared in a half-century stand. Howie notched 50 before being caught with his side 1-76 but Poett (31 not out) and Seb Stanton took their side towards victory with a 31-run partnership. Stanton was dismissed for 18 but Poett and Paul Donaldson ensured Peaks reached the victory target in 26.2 overs to secure a bonus-point win.