Nathan Crudeli the match winner for Bulls as spirited eighth wicket partnership unable to help Lions get home

A six-wicket haul from star all-rounder Nathan Crudeli ensured Mt Barker clung on to victory in a heated grand final rematch against Royals on Saturday. The Lions fell just 18 runs short after a terrific fightback at Turf South set up by a spirited eighth wicket partnership from Lions’ Ted Batchelor and Angus Thompson. The Bulls held their nerve to remain undefeated this season. But there was plenty of feeling late in the contest with the umpire having to step in to separate the two sides after some verbal exchanges. Crudeli claimed the final two wickets of the game to secure the thrilling victory after the Lions’ top order crumbled in pursuit of the Bulls’ 164. The Bulls were bowled out for 164 as Matt France rolled through their lower order with a terrific hat-trick. Opener Alex Fergie (30 runs) and Jarrad Gardner (33) both got starts for the Bulls and when the latter was removed their side was 3-85. Crudeli and Wood added 26 before the latter was caught behind. When Crudeli fell for a well-made 39 they had slipped to 6-139, with the Lions doing well to restrict them. France started his second spell and bowled Seth Davis before doing the same to Jonte Eastough with the his next delivery. Noah Middleton was the man to face the hat-trick ball, with France steaming in and knocking over his stumps to claim a superb hat-trick. He ended the Bulls’ innings with another dismissal to finish with figures of 4-24 from his nine overs. Caleb Haua chipped in with 2-18. The Lions would have been happy with the total they were chasing but they got off to a terrible start and were firmly on the back foot at 5-11. Opener Ryley Valli was knocked over by Crudeli who then had Lions captain Mitch Green caught behind with the next delivery. Crudeli could not complete the hat-trick but the damage continued as Dan Robson was trapped in front the next over by Steven Scott. Crudeli then had France caught at mid-wicket in his fifth over and McNamara caught in slips in his sixth over. Leighton Smith came out and made a quickfire 30 as he and Batchelor added 47 before Smith and Jack Steel fell in quick succession. With the Lions at 7-59 it looked as though the game was done and dusted but Batchelor and Thompson dug deep with an 86-run partnership, scoring at more than five an over. With 10 overs remaining the Lions needed just 28 runs for victory and the Bulls strike bowlers came back into the attack looking to break the partnership. Thompson was caught behind for 43 and Crudeli ripped through the final two batters, having Haua caught behind and then David Brown trapped in front to secure the win. Crudeli finished with outstanding figures of 6-25 off nine overs, four of which were maidens to guide his side home. Batchelor carried his bat with a superb knock of 61 from 93 balls, putting his side in the box seat to pull off a win before running out of partners.