ADCA 2024-25: Bulls’ brilliance with ball nets double bonus-point win, Manypeaks and Narrikup tie in B-grade

Mt Barker’s crushing double bonus-point win in round 12 of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association B-grade competition on Saturday helped them jump back into the top four on the ladder. An intriguing battle is set to play out between three teams for the last finals berth, with the Bulls on 29 points along with fifth-placed Collingwood Park and sixth-placed Narrikup. It will be an exciting final two rounds of the seven-team B-grade competition to determine who will finish fourth after Narrikup tied with top side Manypeaks on Saturday. The Bulls were in dominant form over the winless Railways, securing a nine-wicket win at Keep The Sheep Stadium. After skittling the Tigers for 45, the Bulls needed just seven overs to chase down the score as Troy Simmons made 35 not out. Earlier, Clinton and Todd Hammond were on fire with the ball, snaring three wickets each. Narrikup held their ground against ladder-toppers Manypeaks, electing to bat first and putting up a respectable 180 runs for Peaks to chase down at Proctor Oval. Peaks made a solid start in the chase, with Paul McSweeney (36), Bryce Durack (26) and Gary McGlade (22) getting starts, but Narrikup’s Craig Halligan slowed them down, taking three wickets and he was able to concede just three runs in the final over as Peaks finished 9-180. Earlier, Alec Haskins led the way with 55 for the visitors. Denmark recorded a 47-run win over Royals, with Adam Kemp snaring five wickets on Turf South. The Magpies’ batting innings didn’t get much flow as they were bowled out for 139, with Jake Poad (3-25) doing the damage for the Lions. However, the Lions were rolled for 92 in reply as Kemp snared 5-10 and Lochlan Otway chipped in with 3-17. In the C-grade competition, Denmark remain on top of the ladder after a comfortable win over Royals at Hard North. The Magpies restricted their rivals to 95 batting first after three wickets each from Graeme King and Kurtis Jokich. After losing a couple of early wickets, the Magpies chased down the target after a superb 99 from Ethan Forman as they finished 8-153 from 21.2 overs. Collingwood Park kept their place in the top two with a 110-run win over Manypeaks at Centennial Oval. Park made a massive 4-257 batting first after Craig Tonkin belted 92 and was well supported by Graeme Weinert (47) and Samuel Osborne (42no). Peaks fought hard with 51 runs from George Sippe, but they finished 7-147 in reply. Narrikup stayed in fourth place on the ladder after winning by forfeit over Railways.