Peaks all-rounder proves Collingwood Park’s undoing

A man-of-the-match performance from all-rounder Craig Sinclair guided Manypeaks to a narrow four-wicket win over rivals Collingwood Park to set up an intriguing top-of-the-table clash with Railways next Saturday.

Sinclair showed his importance to Peaks’ premiership hopes with another four-wicket haul before helping his side chase down Park’s total of 179 with 14 balls to spare to cement their position in the top two on the Albany Cricket Association A-grade ladder.

The all-rounder’s unbeaten 45 from 83 balls was the cornerstone of the run chase with Miles O’Meehan also continuing his solid late season form with 46 from 82 balls.

Park, hunting a win which would guarantee their place in the finals, had restricted Peaks to 3-57 in the 16th over before the 93-run partnership between O’Meehan and Sinclair pushed Ryan Kinnear’s men to the point of victory.

WA Country XI seamers Hayden Burling and Mitch Jackson each claimed two wickets but Park surrendered 31 sundries and could only bat 42 overs which proved decisive.

Earlier, Burling relished an elevation back to the top of the order smashing an entertaining 57 to team with Mark Gladish for an 89-run second-wicket partnership after Jackson fell first ball of the innings to Matt Hope.

The duo scored freely but were both undone by spin with Sinclair breaking the partnership before left-armer Warwick Durack cut through the middle order with [|his own] three wickets, picking up Park captain Nathan Dovey for three followed by big-hitting duo Daniel Parker (4) and Nathan Komeme (0).

Park slumped to 9-122 before a 57-run last-wicket stand between Tim Pyle (37 not out) and Ben Grey (20) gave Park a competitive total at Proctor Oval.

After moving to third spot last round, Park now sit in fourth with must win games against North County and Railways to come.