By Ian Beeck | posted on December 5, 2019
MT BARKER took out their frustrations of consecutive last-ball losses in the previous two weeks over a hapless Denmark on Saturday, posting a massive 148-run victory.
Cars and spectators were in danger as the top-order batsmen went riot, clocking up the largest score of the season.
Things started ominously for Denmark as Mt Barker won the toss and openers Alexander Fergie and Tim Shephard put on an 84-run partnership before the latter was caught off the bowling of Paul Alexander.
This only brought out the explosive and in-form Jeremy Wood with the captain leading by example, smashing a quick-fire 70 off only 47 balls including a couple of towering sixes.
Fergie meanwhile was in the nineties and looking set to record a ton but Wood’s dismissal may have upset his concentration as he went two runs later for 92.
Some late hitting including Nathan Crosby, 31 off only 15 balls including two four and two sixes, and Clayton Wood, 31 off 18 balls, had Mt Barker finishing on an imposing 5/293.
Denmark’s bowling attack battled bravely against the powerful batting line-up with some expensive figures and Alexander was the only multiple wicket-taker with 2/57.
Denmark started brightly with Daniel Robson and Matthew Burton putting on a 97-run stand before Robson was caught for a well-compiled 52.
Then the floodgates opened as Denmark collapsed, the last four batsmen going for ducks as Denmark lost 10-48 to be all out for 145 in the 43rd over.
The Barker bowlers were ruthless with Patrick Butler, Kobi Williams, Todd Hammond and Jeremy Wood all taking two wickets.
On Turf B, Manypeaks won the toss and batted first against Royals with opener Regan Poett continuing his solid form in scoring 28.
Royals were bowling a tight line, restricting the cavalier Manypeaks batsmen but Declan McNamara hit out late belting 44 off 41 balls, well supported by Sebastian Stanton with 32.
Jack Hastie led the bowlers with 2/25 with Bodhi Stubber chiming in with 2/35.
Royals again lost early wickets being 2/15, but Matt Wolfe steadied the ship and put on a valuable partnership with Jack Steel (24) and they looked like victory was in sight.
Enter veterans Ryan Kinnear and Jeremy Stewart who quickly changed the course of the game.
Wolfe was still making runs at will but was rapidly losing partners as Kinnear bamboozled the middle-order and Stewart cleaned up the tail.
Wolfe was left stranded on 93 not out as Royals were all out for 172 in the 47th over.
Kinnear must surely be in discussions amongst the test selectors as he took consecutive five-wicket hauls, finishing with 5/38 off his 10 overs and Stewart claimed 4/34.
The final game saw Collingwood Park all out for 154 that Railways easily accounted for with the loss of six wickets in the 39th over.
