Mt Barker trounce Collingwood Park, Royals edge past Manypeaks in ADCA A-grade round 13 fixtures

Mt Barker have continued their strong form in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition, demolishing Collingwood Park with a double bonus-point victory at Turf South on Saturday. The Bulls were 14 points adrift of Park in third place last month but three crushing victories since then have turned their season around. The punishing 162-run round 13 win puts the Bulls 10 points ahead of Park with two rounds left in the regular season and they still remain in the hunt to finish on top of the ladder and qualify directly into the grand final. The Bulls posted 3-254 batting first before skittling their opposition for a meagre 92. Park’s John Miell was out lbw for a second ball duck and Steven Scott had a second wicket just four balls later, trapping Garlick in front for a duck as they slumped to 2-1. The young duo of Buddy Robinson (9) and Oliver Davidson (10) put on 25 together to steady things but Bulls’ Nathan Crudeli dismissed Robinson in the 12th over. Things didn’t get easier for Park as they lost 4-18 with Jarrad Fuller (0), Davidson, O’Shea Durack (3) and Ryan Davies (5) all removed before drinks. Lower order runs from Jarrad Hansen (16), Josh Dallimore (12) and Jarrad Norton (15) made the total more respectable but they fell well short and were bowled out in the 30th over. Crudeli was superb with 3-16 from eight overs and was well supported by Craige Anning (2-10), Patrick Butler (2-13) and Scott (2-20). Earlier, the Bulls dominated proceedings as Alex Fergie and Jeremy Wood shared in a 114-run opening partnership to set the tone. Fergie finished with nine boundaries on his way to 75, while Wood whacked 61 from 88 deliveries. That platform allowed Crudeli (62 from 56) and Neil Ferreira (31 from 22) to score quickly as their side surpassed 250 at the end of their 50 overs. In the other round 13 clash, the Lions made hard work of a small total, needing 44 overs to chase down 117. The Lions notched their eighth 50-over win of the A-grade season with the three-wicket result at Turf North and remain 11 points clear on top of the table. Peaks were skittled for 116 despite knocks from Regan Poett (24), Regan Christensen (24) and Paul Donaldson (22), with Jack Hastie (3-14) and Dylan Holt (3-15) doing the damage with the ball for the Lions. The Lions slipped to 6-77 at one stage but Lorcan McNamara and Jack Steel got their side home in the 45th over. Myles Holland top-scored with 29 off 78 balls, while Lincoln Joy (25) and Mitch Green (25) also contributed strongly. Jeremy Stewart (2-21) and Oliver Douglas (2-15) were the multiple wicket takers for Peaks in a losing affair.