ADCA 2024-25: Manypeaks miss out on finals berth despite thumping win, Mt Barker join Royals on equal points

The top three teams have been decided in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition despite an impressive double-bonus-point victory from Manypeaks in round 18 on Saturday. Manypeaks were 117-run winners over Railways at Turf East in their bid to remain in the finals hunt, but a win to Mt Barker at Turf North at the same time effectively ended their season. Despite vice-captain Ryan Kinnear making a solid 62 not out and strong contributions from stand-in captain Seb Stanton (32) and Paul Donaldson (49) to help them make 7-220 in the win, the top three are locked away, with Peaks now 21 points behind the third-placed Tigers with a maximum of 14 points left to collect in the last two games. Kinnear led the way again with a steady half-century, and that was backed up by superb displays with the ball from Oliver Douglas (3-28) and Donaldson (3-13) as the Tigers were knocked over for 103 in reply. Only Mohit Jaggi got a decent start with 26 from 55 balls as the Tigers’ top order failed to fire, not recovering after slipping to 6-54. The Bulls joined reigning premiers Royals on 52 points after a hard-fought win over Collingwood Park. Chasing 152 to win, the Bulls needed 48 overs to chase down the score but had seven wickets in hand as the result helped them leapfrog the Tigers on the ladder. Bulls’ Mitch Jackson did the early damage against his former side, claiming 4-23 from his 10 overs, while spinner Jarrad Gardner (3-33) was also vital as Park were bowled out in the final over. Englishman Freddie Sharp top-scored with 26, while Jesse Spaanderman (23) and Dylan Belward (20) also passed 20 for Park. Opener Alex Fergie set the tone for the Bulls in the chase, making a solid 58, but while they all got starts, it was a grind. Belward removed Jack Pope for 25, and then Neil Ferreira’s innings of 37 ended when he was trapped lbw by Sharp. O’Shea Durack eventually bowled Fergie, with the Bulls still needing 16 to win. Ryan Gaerth (20no) and Jeremy Wood (11no) sealed the Bulls’ seventh one-day win of the season.