ADCA 2023-24: Collingwood Park, featuring State talent, qualify for semifinal despite 33-run loss to Mt Barker

Reigning premiers Mt Barker tuned up for their crack at a third straight grand final win with an impressive result against a bolstered Collingwood Park in the final round of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. The Bulls have directly qualified for the premiership decider on March 23 after finishing top of the ladder and their win over Park in round 21 was full of merit. Park controversially included talented pair WA second XI batter Fraser Hay and young WA fast bowler Bryce Jackson in their squad to face minor premiers Mt Barker at Turf North on Saturday, even though they are not eligible to play finals. Bryce Jackson hails from Park while Hay plays with the Albany-raised Jackson brothers at WA Premier Cricket club Melville. Despite their addition Park were handed a 33-run defeat by a rampant Bulls side spearheaded by a special knock from Nathan Crudeli who scored an unbeaten 94 before Paul Osborne claimed a five-wicket haul. A Park win would have thwarted Manypeaks hopes of a finals appearance and stitched up third place. However, Royals delivered a fatal blow by thumping Peaks by more than 100 runs at Turf South, to ensure Park finished in the top three. Up against arguably the best bowling cartel in the competition, Crudeli was up to the task delivering a sensational 94 not out to steer his side to a first innings total of 5-229. Crudeli plundered nine boundaries with five clearing the rope in his herculean 120-ball innings. After winning the toss and sending the Bulls in, Park skipper Mitch Jackson threw his brother Bryce the ball promising an electrifying start to the highly anticipated encounter. Bulls openers Nathan Crosby and Neil Ferreira formed a sound opening stand before a fiery Bryce Jackson skittled Crosby for 15. When English paceman Cam Jones castled Bulls captain Jeremy Wood (4) five overs later, the Bulls were 2-37 through the opening 13 overs. Crudeli and Ferreira (33) combined for an important 64-run third-wicket stand before Crudeli was later assisted by Jack Pope (29), the pair adding 69 runs for the fifth wicket. Bryce Jackson led Park’s bowling attack with 2-26 from his 10 overs, while Jed Schwarzbach, Jones and Michael Ferreira each claimed one wicket. Park were dealt a major blow when wicketkeeper-bat Devon Jefferis suffered a finger injury early in the match, forcing English quick Sam Keeling-Wright to take the gloves for the remainder of the innings and Jefferis was unable to bat. A true captain’s innings from Mitch Jackson was not enough to elevate his side to victory after a major collapse of 6-24 marred their run chase. Mitch Jackson clubbed 75 from 83 balls including six fours and two sixes but a spectacular nine-over spell from spinner Paul Osborne firmly swung the momentum of the game back in the Bulls’ favour. Park made a tremendous start and Hay proved his worth with 47 at the top of the order as he and Andrew Hagnhofer (14) shook hands for a 59-run opening stand. When Wood and Pope removed the openers in quick succession, Schwarzbach (24) and Mitch Jackson were forced to consolidate at 2-69. The pair added 72 runs for the third wicket before a crafty Paul Osborne broke the crucial partnership and snared Keeling-Wright moments later for a golden duck. Osborne added the scalps of Michael Ferreira (2), O’Shea Durack (1) and Buddy Robinson for a four-ball duck to finish with 5-26. Meanwhile, Crudeli picked up the wicket of Bryce Jackson (7) as Park lost 6-24 to slip to 8-165 before Wood finally claimed the wicket of Mitch Jackson as Park’s innings finished at 9-196 inside 47 overs.