ADCA 2023-24: Mt Barker must keep winning form to clinch top spot insists Crudeli after magnificent five-fer

Mt Barker’s star all-rounder Nathan Crudeli insists his side must keep winning to bridge the gap to ladder-leading Royals on the back of a matchwinning five-wicket haul against Collingwood Park on Saturday. Inclement weather delayed the start of play to 1pm on Saturday and reduced the overs to 42 per side in both Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade matches. But Crudeli (5-20) led the Bulls’ charge to a 20-run victory over Park at Turf North with a superb five-wicket haul and game-high 37 runs to keep his side within reaching distance of the ladder-leading Lions. The win keeps the Bulls in second spot, one win shy of the Lions, and Crudeli said their focus remains solely on winning the rest of their games as they strive to claim top spot. “Obviously Royals have started the season really strong,” he said. “We realise that we need to keep winning if we’re going to finish on top and go straight through to the grandy. Crudeli had not played for the Bulls since round 10 in December after being selected in the Country XI side, where he sustained a calf injury, but said it was satisfying to contribute to his side’s clutch victory. “It feels good, I maybe bowled a little bit fuller than I usually do and brought the stumps in to play,” he said. “Jez (Bulls captain Jeremy Wood) has been pulling his hair out trying to get me to hit stumps for the last probably three years so it was good.” After setting Park 138 for victory, the Bulls made an electrifying start with Crudeli dismantling Park’s top order, claiming the first three wickets, including Brock Tiede for a royal duck. At 3-20 Park’s innings was in turmoil but captain Mitch Jackson (13) and vice-captain Andrew Hagnhofer (26) combined for a much-needed 32-run stand. When Alex Fergie dismissed Hagnhofer and Buddy Robinson (0) in back-to-back deliveries Park were left in all sorts of trouble at 6-62. Sam Keeling-Wright plundered a quickfire 19 to give his side a glimmer of hope before being stumped by Neil Ferreira with a horribly unfortunate rebound off the gloveman’s foot. With seven overs to go Park were nine down and needed 28 runs before Crudeli cleaned up the tail with a Jonte Eastough screamer gifting the Bulls a well-earned victory. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Bulls’ top order found frequent starters in Fergie (24), Wood (25) and Crudeli (37) and were cruising at 2-104. But the game took a drastic turn after a catastrophic batting collapse had the Bulls lose 7-33 to close out the innings. Skipper Jackson spearheaded Park’s attack with 3-23 from his 7.4 overs while Jed Schwarzbach added to the Bulls’ batting woes collecting 3-29 off eight. Park claimed the scalps of Patrick Butler (three) Jack Pope (0) Ryan Gaerth (three) and Clayton Wood (one) in the space of five overs before Jackson’s relentless attack added his third wicket of the match when he skittled Crudeli. The Bulls were rolled for 137 in the 38th over. On Friday, the Bulls stormed to a 52-run triumph over Peaks in their final T20 fixture of the home-and-away rounds at Turf North. The Bulls posted 140 at the end of their 20 overs with Crudeli smashing 57 from 42 balls which included six fours and a six. Steven Scott added 16 while Clayton Wood and Fergie each contributed 13. Regan Christensen led Peaks’ bowling attack with 3-33 from four overs. Six of Peaks’ batters were dismissed for a single-figure score before Walsh (21) and Kinnear (17 not out) provided resistance. Peaks batted out the 20 overs to finish 8-88. The Bulls used eight different bowlers but Scott was the only multiple wicket taker with 2-9. The T20 grand final will be between the Bulls and Park on Friday, February 16.