Peaks on top at mid-season after big win over Magpies

Manypeaks have returned to the top of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association ladder after securing a double-bonus-point win over the bottom-placed Denmark at Turf South in round nine on Saturday afternoon.

In the final round of cricket before a fortnight break for Christmas and the new year, Peaks finished comfortable winners in the end as they made light work of a small Magpies total.

Matt Burton was the only batsman Peaks had difficulties with, the right-hander notching his highest score of the season at the top of the order, but he struggled to find partners.

He and Englishman Ben Attrill shared in a 48-run stand but they fell quickly, Attrill bowled by David Pyle on 12 and then Burton followed him when caught off the bowling of Jeremy Stewart for 44.

The Magpies quickly fell to 5-77 when Ryan Kinnear trapped Damien Schwarzbach for a duck.

Veteran Peter Ross dug in, his unbeaten 24 ensuring the Magpies surpassed 100 as Stewart claimed 4-16 to take his season tally to 13 wickets.

Myles O’Meehan made the key breakthrough early, bowling Magpies skipper Dan Robson on eight, and Kinnear finished with 2-24 as Peaks were set 122 for victory.

Peaks captain Aran Tilbury set the tone at the top, as he cracked three boundaries and a six in his dashing 41 off 32 balls to end any remote hope for the winless Magpies.

Tilbury was run out by Brad Stewart and his fellow opener Regan Poett (8) was bowled by Attrill to leave them 2-53.

However, the small chase was no concern for Kinnear and young batsman Seb Stanton, as they both finished unbeaten and coasted Peaks to victory inside 25 overs.

Stanton made 46 not out from just 48 balls and Kinnear played a patient cameo (21 not out) to steer their side to an eight-wicket win in the 23rd over.

Only Attrill took a wicket for the Magpies, returning 1-39 from his six overs.

The double bonus point win shot Peaks back to the top of the standings with one game in hand.

Meanwhile over at Turf East, Collingwood Park handed Royals a seven-wicket hiding to boost their finals hopes. The fifth-placed Park were far superior to a woeful Lions outfit bowled out for a miserable 63.

It is the second time this season the Lions have not passed 65, rolled for 61 against Peaks back in round two. Spinner Myles Jackson did the damage, clean ripping three Lions in the middle order on his way to sensational figures of 4-13 and he was well supported by Ben Grey (2-22) and Steve Van Nierop (2-17).

Promoted opener Jack Richards was the only batsman to show some fight, making 35.

But the game was over quickly as Nathan De Graaf (29) and Nic Barrow (26) helped their side secure a double bonus point win in the 19th over.