Second century from veteran opener Neil Ferreira pushes red-hot Bulls further clear on top

Veteran opener Neil Ferreira blasted his second century of the 2020-21 Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade season to guide Mt Barker to an emphatic victory over Collingwood Park on Saturday. Ferreira smashed an unbeaten ton in round 14 on Turf North as he set the platform for the Bulls’ dominant double bonus point win, skipping further clear on top of the ladder. Just three A-grade centuries have been scored this season, all of them in Bulls colours after Nathan Crudeli also reached triple figures in round five and Ferreira’s first ton came in round six. The former Zimbabwe Test batsman scored 120 from 152 balls, his innings including five boundaries and two sixes. Batting first, the Bulls posted a mammoth total of 7-248 as the left-hander laid the groundwork for his side’s 174-run victory. Bulls openers Alex Fergie and Ferreira shared in a 69-run opening partnership before Fergie was bowled for 35 by Ben Grey. Grey struck the very next ball, knocking over Bulls’ captain Jeremy Wood for a golden duck but Crudeli survived the hat-trick ball and he and Ferreira took control of the innings. They shared in a 106-run partnership before Crudeli was stumped for 45 with his side at 3-175. Ferreira took his side past 200 before notching triple figures with a three and in their last 10 overs the Bulls smashed 71 runs. Grey finished with 3-39 off his 10 overs and Steve Van Nierop took 2-21 from nine overs. In reply, Park were in trouble from the start as they crumbled to 5-13 in the first 10 overs. Crudeli ran Nathan Dovey out in the second over of Park’s innings with a direct hit from cover before he and Mitch Smith starred with the ball. Grey was knocked over by Crudeli, then Smith had Park youngster Bailey Peacock out lbw. Crudeli dismissed Leroy van den Dool lbw in his next over and then Smith teamed up with Crudeli to send Dustin Boyce packing. Park captain Matt Heberle (21) and youngster Jed Kowald (21) provided some resistance but their side were all out for 74. Crudeli claimed 3-11 off nine overs and Smith was just as good with 2-14 while spinner Paul Osborne also took 2-25 as the Bulls chalked up their sixth 50-over win.