Peaks tweaker routs Bulls in preliminary final

Manypeaks will play in their second grand final in three seasons after captain Craig Sinclair produced a devastating spell of spin bowling to send his club into the Albany Cricket Association A-grade season decider.

With his unique combination of orthodox and wrist spin, Sinclair rolled through Mt Barker, snaring 6-12 as the Bulls were skittled for just 85 in 39 overs.

Playing in their first preliminary final, the Bulls won the toss and elected to bat on Turf North, but swing bowler Myles O’Meehan made the early inroads, removing Jason Jones (0) and Alex Fergie (2) cheaply.

Much reliance was placed on Bulls’ leading run-scorers Nathan Crosby and captain Jeremy Wood to post a defendable total, but left-armer Warwick Durack snared the prize wicket of Wood leg-before for 5 as the Bulls slumped to 3-28.

Sinclair’s introduction had an almost immediate effect, removing Luke Hammond (1) before claiming Tim Fitzgerald and the defiant Crosby for 23 in the space of 12 balls.

Sinclair then proved too clever for Aidan Williss, Dean Couper and Matt Adams as he snared six consecutive wickets before Jacob Wintle was run out for the final wicket.

In reply, Peaks appeared to be cruising at 0-42, but Scott (5-23) snared three wickets in five balls to send shudders through the Peaks camp.

Bowling with the aid of the breeze over his left shoulder, Scott found late swing to hoop the ball through the defence of Broomhall and trapped Sinclair the next ball.

When youngster Seb Stanton and all-rounder O’Meehan also went cheaply, Peaks had lost 5-9.

With the contest on the line with Peaks at 5-51, opener Ryan Kinnear remained steadfast and teamed with veteran Wade Anning (19 not out) in a crucial 34-run stand.

Kinnear was eventually removed for a fighting 23 with the scores tied to become Scott’s fifth victim, but his innings ensured his side’s lower order would not be exposed in the tense final.

Peaks coach Langley Angel was pleased with the efforts of Sinclair and the miserly Durack (1-7) who once again asked consistent questions around the wicket to set up the win.

But Peaks will sweat on the fitness of Durack, who left the ground with a quad strain after bowling six overs. “Mt Barker are a dangerous side so it was very pleasing to get them out before 100,” he said.

“It was great Ryan and Wade could steady the ship for us and the situation probably suited Ryan’s type of play.”

The Bulls produced a promising first season in the A-grade competition, finishing with seven one-day wins in the regular season and their first finals win in the elimination semifinal over Collingwood Park on Saturday.