Railways prevail in top of the table clash

Defending premiers Railways have taken a significant step to securing yet another minor premiership as they prevailed over a persistent Manypeaks in the top of the table clash at Turf East on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers entered the double header weekend of fixtures on top of the table but a Peaks victory would have seen them jump to the top of the standings with two rounds to play.

Peaks won the toss and elected to bat but never were able to string meaningful partnerships together as the Tigers bowled with discipline and made regular breakthroughs.

Harry Broomhall looked in ominous touch but came undone to seamer Ryan Tindale on 16 while Myles O’Meehan hit two boundaries in his knock of 23 that was Peaks top score.

Youngster Seb Stanton finished 18 not out to help his side finish 9-125 from their 50 overs with Tim Edmunds taking 3-15 off a tidy 10 overs which included the wicket of Peaks skipper Craig Sinclair while Tindale returned 2-18 off his 10.

The Tigers made a slow but steady start to the run chase with left-hander Zane Marwick, who was nursing a thumb injury, and Edmunds blunting Peaks hopes of early wickets.

After scoring only 18 runs in the first 10 overs, the experienced Tigers pair moved the score along to reach 62 after 20 overs before Edmunds was bowled by Sinclair on 15.

Mitch Green became Sinclair’s second scalp soon after but the Tigers appeared set to coast to victory as Marwick worked the ball to all parts and was joined by Nathan Crudeli.

The match tightened significantly, however, when Crudeli fell on seven and then Marwick was removed for a terrific 65 to leave the Tigers 4-98.

Harry Broomhall bowled Aidan Dallimore in the 40th over but a cameo from Jack Richards guided the premiers home as they finished 5-126 in 44 overs.

Richards found plenty of gaps in his unbeaten innings of 22 as the Tigers moved seven points clear on top of the table.

In the other round 16 clash it was a one-sided affair between Mt Barker and Royals as the Bulls handed the bottom side a comprehensive thrashing.

Nathan Crosby (53), Jeremy Wood (44) and Luke Hammond (46 not out) were impressive with the bat as the Bulls made 4-199.

Already knocked out of finals contention the Lions were rolled for 28, one of the lowest one-day totals recorded in the past decade and the smallest this season.

No Lions batsman reached double figures as Steven Scott (3-10), Tim Fitzgerald (3-7) and Jacob Wintle (2-7) ripped through their batting line-up on the way to a double bonus point win that lifted them back into third place.