Mt Barker end nearly 20-year A-grade premiership drought after grand final revenge against rivals Royals

Mt Barker have exacted grand final revenge on arch-rivals Royals, claiming their first A-grade title in nearly 20 years on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls were stunned by the Lions in last season’s Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade grand final but they turned that result around with a memorable 47-run victory in the one that mattered this season. Last season the Bulls finished on top of the ladder and again this season they held a stranglehold on top spot but took the final step and secured the title they had been so desperately chasing. Spearhead Nathan Crudeli claimed the final wicket to spark the Bulls celebrations, their first A-grade premiership since 2003-04 in the former Mt Barker and Districts Cricket Association. Bulls captain Jeremy Wood was outstanding in the decider, first with a match-saving knock of 64 and then snaring three wickets including the prized scalp of his counterpart Mitch Green. On the back of Jeremy Wood’s innings and a late runs from Clayton Wood and Steven Scott, the Bulls set the Lions 200 to win at Turf North. The Lions’ run chase never gained significant moment and Jeremy Wood dismissed both Green and star recruit Lincoln Joy to power his side towards grand final glory and player of the final honours. Crudeli bowled Jack Steel in the final over of the match to seal the result, the Lions all out for 152. Jeremy Wood said it was a sweet moment to lift the premiership cup aloft and deliver his club some deserved success. “The biggest feeling is relief to be honest,” he said. “For the Mt Barker town and the cricket club, to get one on the board was what we needed. “There was definitely pressure coming into another grand final as favourites, you’ve got to get the job done. “Mt Barker had one of the strongest competitions in the State 20 years ago and the aim was to make this club sustainable for a long time. “This will really kick the sport along in the town and we’ll enjoy this one for a while.” Jeremy Wood won the toss and batted first but after some early runs from Alex Fergie (16) and Nathan Crosby (20), the Bulls were left reeling at 3-56 when Crudeli was left short of his ground after a mix-up running between wickets. Neil Ferreira made 28 before falling to Jack Hastie and when Nathan Poole, who was the surprise inclusion in the grand final having not played for the club since November, and Adam Ditchburn were removed by Lincoln Joy thy Bulls were in trouble at 6-106. But Jeremy Wood played superbly, making 64 not out from 82 balls, and while he only hit five boundaries, his partnerships with the lower order helped them set a formidable total. The Wood brothers added 47 runs together and Scott belted 16 from only five balls as the Bulls reached 8-199 from their 50 overs. Crudeli struck in the first over, bowling Ted Batchelor for a duck and Joy was the second Lion to fall for only eight. Green looked good for his 27 but was caught behind and when opener Ryley Valli was bowled by Poole for 32 from 80 balls, his side were struggling at 4-78. Matt France was the only other player to reach 20 but it was the Bulls day as Jeremy Wood (3-25 from nine overs) and Jarrad Gardner (3-28 from 10) proved the destroyers. “Our backs were against the wall at 3-56 especially with Nath (Crudeli) in the shed,” Jeremy Wood said. “The partnership between Clayton and I helped swing the momentum back in our favour a bit. “One of our weaknesses has been our tail but the way they wagged was the catalyst for getting a good total. “Royals were 2-50 odd, Greeney was looking good and it was game on but we had a good bowling partnership in the middle that tightened the screws. “It certainly didn’t come easy and I thought it was a bloody good game of cricket that ebbed and flowed a fair bit.” Joy snared 2-34 earlier for the Lions and Lorcan McNamara chipped in with 2-48 but the Lions couldn’t replicate last season’s grand final heroics. “Obviously it was a pretty disappointing result,” Green said. “We had too many missed opportunities, dropped a few half chances and them getting 200 was probably about 20-30 more than they should have got. “They are a quality outfit and chasing 200 in a grand final is tough. “The chase never really gained any momentum and couldn’t build partnerships.”