Railways lock away top-two, Peaks thrash out-of-sorts Lions

Railways’ quest for a seventh straight premiership will involve yet another second semifinal appearance after the Tigers locked away a top-two finish with a strong performance over Collingwood Park at Turf North on Saturday.

The Tigers finished comfortable six-wicket winners in round 12 on Saturday and after Royals’ nightmare day alongside them, pushed the margin to 19 points back to third spot with three regular rounds left.

Park had won four straight games coming into the clash with the defending premiers, who chased down 136 for victory in the 47th over.

The returning Brendan Crudeli (41 not out) and youngster Flynn Cristinelli (27 not out) controlled the run chase after their side fell to 4-69 with the loss of captain Nathan Crudeli.

Opener Coen Marwick made a patient 25 but Brendan Crudeli anchored the successful chase as he made 41 from 87 balls to get the Tigers home.

Mitch Woods claimed two wickets for Park who simply did not put enough runs on the board after winning the toss.

Opening partners Nic Barrow (40) and Tim Pyle (52) got their side off to a flyer before they lost four quick wickets.

Simon Harvey snared the key scalps of Leroy van den Dool and Nathan Dovey and when Jesse Spaanderman was trapped lbw by Alan Pietersen, Park were reduced to 4-82.

Tim Pyle was in ominous form but fell in the most unlucky of circumstances.

A strong drive from Nathan De Graaf down the pitch deflected off bowler Ryan Tindale’s hand and hit the stumps to have him short of his crease on 52.

Park lost 5-10 to be bowled out for 135 as Harvey claimed 4-18 and Marwick returned 2-27 to help the Tigers skip well clear in second place.

Warwick Durack and David Pyle heaped more pain on the out of form Royals, who were skittled for a miserable 49.

Peaks set the Lions 205 for victory but Durack and David Pyle made it a quick afternoon as they combined for nine wickets.

Durack snared the first four Lions scalps and they never recovered to be out for 49 with only Mitch Green (20) and Scott Worsfold (13) in double figures.

A sensational five-over spell from Durack netted 5-9 while David Pyle was also destructive with 4-11 as the Lions copped a double bonus point hiding.

Earlier Peaks set a strong foundation with the bat as Jack Dawson top-scored with 58 and was well supported by Seb Stanton as the reached 8-204.