ADCA 2023-24: Collingwood Park edge reigning premiers in dramatic finish, Royals remain only unbeaten team

Collingwood Park notched their first win of the season in a final-over thriller while Royals maintained their unbeaten record in round five of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. Park were two-wicket winners in the most dramatic circumstances at Turf North, beating reigning premiers Mt Barker after scoring five runs to win in the final over of the game. In a game that had plenty, Park were set 169 to win and it was tailender Dylan Belward who proved the hero as he blasted his side victory with three balls to spare. Belward hit two massive sixes, including one into the breeze, in his brilliant 33 not out. It was nervous times for Park who were cruising before the loss of Michael Ferreira caused a collapse. Michael Ferreira and Park captain Brad Bootsma shared in a 63-run stand but Park lost 4-21 after Jarrad Gardner removed Michael Ferreira on 39. Bootsma produced a fighting knock and loomed as the man to get his side home before he holed out on the boundary, three runs short of his half century. That left Park 8-152 and Ben Grey joined Belward at the crease in what was the last pair. Park had only 10 batters after Jed Schwarzbach left at the change of innings, leaving Park’s fate firmly in the hands of No.9 and No.10. Needing only 15 runs to win, Belward and Grey soaked up plenty of pressure to deliver their side a famous win, Belward clipping a ball into the leg side off Miles Davis who was thrown the ball for the first time in the 45th over. Bootsma’s 47 from 76 balls was crucial in the result, while Belward blasted 33 from only 29 balls. Bulls’ opening bowlers Nathan Crudeli and Steven Scott started strongly after a couple of initial blows from Sam Keeling-Wright (15). Scott trapped Keeling-Wright lbw, Crudeli beat Devon Jefferies with a good short ball and then Scott bowled Jarrad Fuller (10) to leave Park in early trouble. The Bulls’ batting innings ended in drama as well, as a 12th player went out to bat for more than an over before players realised that Park had already taken 10 wickets. The scores went back to the fall of the final wicket and Bulls captain Jeremy Wood was left unbeaten on 74 as his side were all out for 168 in the 41st over. Wood combined with Crudeli in a 76-run stand before the latter was run out on 37 by Bootsma. Keeling-Wright returned 2-40, Grey snared the crucial scalp of Neil Ferreira and quick Cameron Jones cleaned up the tail to finish with 3-25. At Turf South, the Lions produced another strong all-round display with the ball to chase just 108 to win against Manypeaks. Opener Matt France (3-27) and swing bowler Hayden Davies (3-21) did most of the damage while Jack Hastie also snared two wickets as the Lions made light work of a Peaks side missing key senior pair Ryan Kinnear and Paul Donaldson. Kane Pinney scored a defiant 33 from 61 balls in the middle order and Luke Vlahov and Jeremy Stewart added 29 runs for the final wicket but their side were bowled out for 107. Ryley Valli was promoted to open as he and Ted Batchelor shared in a 47-run opening partnership. Vlahov got rid of Batchelor on 14 and Stewart bowled Lincoln Joy (7) cheaply but the Lions coasted to a six-wicket win. Valli made 38 before he departed, while English youngster Rhys Lewis (22 not out) and Ryan Davies (15) ensured the Lions made it four straight wins to start the new season.