Peaks snatch second spot after tight win

Manypeaks jumped to second position in the Albany Cricket Association A-grade one-day competition after successfully defending 162 against Royals in a close round10 fixture at Turf North on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions, chasing a second 50-over win against Peaks this season, were in a strong position after drinks at 3-70 when opener Digby Nuthall fell on 30.

Nuthall produced a patient knock at the top for his young side but was out lbw when trying to sweep Ryan Kinnear, with his side needing 93 to win and more than 20 overs remaining.

The run chase, however, was sent into a spin when first Dylan Holt and then captain Jack Hastie were run out as Peaks swung the momentum back in their favour.

Peaks skipper Craig Sinclair caught Holt short of his ground after a mix-up on 12 and Hastie also got a start before having to depart on 17 after more confusion.

When veteran all-rounder Ian Attwell was bowled on eight, the Lions had slumped to 6-104 and the task became increasingly tough as Peaks dried up the run scoring.

Opening bowler Matt Hope returned to clean up the lower order and youngster Bailey Cavanagh also bowled impressively to take a late wicket as they dismissed the Lions for 141 in reply.

It was a disappointing display with the bat from the Lions after a number of starts with only Nuthall and youngster Tom Wolfe, who played well for his 23 to get his side close at the end, surpassing 20.

Hope finished with 3-22 from his 9.3 overs, while Cavanagh returned 2-31 off eight in his side’s 21-run victory.

The result helps Peaks leapfrog Mt Barker into second spot on the ladder ahead of a top-of-the-table clash with Railways this weekend.

The Tigers avoided a second one-day defeat at the hands of Denmark in the other fixture on Saturday at Turf West. An outstanding opening partnership between English import Jujhar Johal and Cary Green worth 150 runs helped the Magpies reach 6-169 from their 50 overs.

Johal fell five runs short of a second century for the Magpies, out lbw to Coen Marwick (3-18), while Green played a terrific role at the other end with 47.

Matt Ellul removed key duo Mitch Green (11) and Matt Walters (0) to leave the Tigers 2-21 in the eighth over before Zane Marwick and Nathan Crudeli combined for 64 runs.

Johal got the breakthrough of Crudeli on 27 and Zane Marwick was removed by Green on 45 soon afterwards.

Hard-hitter Coen Marwick was looking dangerous before injuring his hamstring and was forced to retire hurt on 16.

Aidan Dallimore and Tim Edmunds then steered the Tigers towards victory, with the latter scoring 23 in a vital partnership.

Three more wickets saw Coen Marwick return to smack three boundaries and finish not out on 37 as he guided the Tigers home with 20 balls to spare.