ADCA 2023-24: Three straight victories for Bulls as swing bowler Steven Scott rips through Peaks top order

Reigning premiers Mt Barker made it three wins on the trot as they scored a 77-run triumph over Manypeaks at Turf South in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. The result was spearheaded by a devastating opening spell from left-arm swing bowler Steven Scott as the Bulls head towards the mid-season break in strong form. Peaks were set 192 to win but Scott ripped apart their top order as the Bulls coasted to a bonus-point victory that lifted them back into second spot on the ladder. Scott snared the first four wickets in Peaks’ run chase and they were never a chance from that point on after being reduced to 4-14. Daniel Rees, playing his first game of the season, was skittled by Scott with the first ball he faced and then captain Regan Poett was trapped in front for a 10-ball duck to give Scott two scalps in the second over. He then produced a double-wicket maiden with his fourth over, as firstly Paul Donaldson was caught behind on one and then Kane Pinney was bowled without scoring. Seb Stanton played a defiant top-order innings, hitting just one boundary in his 79-ball stay. Bulls seamer Jeremy Wood removed both Ryan Kinnear (2) and Englishman Ben Southern (3) before Stanton was caught and bowled by Nathan Crudeli on 33, as Peaks slumped to 7-63. Young guns Cameron Walsh and Regan Christensen restored some respectability for Peaks with a 36-run ninth wicket stand. Christensen was stumped for 21 and Walsh was run out soon after on 27 from 69 deliveries, as Peaks were bowled out for 114 in reply. Scott did the bulk of the damage with 4-10 from six overs while Wood returned 2-13 and youngster Max Osborne bowled well to claim 1-27 from nine overs. Earlier strong top order contributions from several Bulls helped them surpass 150 batting first. Alex Fergie missed out, making only one, but teammates Neil Ferreira (25), Wood (37), Crudeli (21) and Jack Pope (29 not out) helped the Bulls make 191 all out. Walsh was outstanding with the ball to finish with 4-23 from his 10 overs that including key trio Fergie, Wood and Crudeli. Southern (2-30) and Oliver Douglas (2-31) were the other multiple wicket takers.