ADCA 2025-26: Collingwood Park notch sixth win as Mt Barker struggle and Railways break duck against Denmark

Collingwood Park took advantage of a wayward batting performance by Mt Barker to grab a six-wicket victory over their opponents in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. Playing on Turf South, Park notched up their sixth win of the season and would appear to be finals bound, even now challenging for a top-two finish. And, in another memorable day for a youthful team, Railways defeated Denmark by eight wickets for their first win of the season. The Magpies had a shocker with the bat and look out of finals contention, as do the Tigers of course, for despite the victory they are still well adrift at the foot of the ladder. The young Park side put the Bulls to the sword, dismissing them for 133 in the 31st over before keeping cool heads to reach 4-135 in some style. Leroy van den Dool was Park’s chief mischief maker with the ball, taking 5-37, but he was backed up by Jesse Spaanderman’s 3-37, an effort which included a diving caught-and-bowled that left the Park skipper with his face in the turf but dismissed Ryan Gaerth. The Bulls top order did not cover themselves in glory as only Tyler Crommelin made real progress with 28 runs off 49 balls. Alex Fergie, Joe Robinson, Michail Muller and Harrison Woithe all fell by the wayside to leave Mt Barker in some strife on 4-18, and when Crommelin was caught by Craig Tonkin off Morgan Baxter they were 5-57. Gaerth (22) and Neil Ferreira (36) calmed the drama for a while, but Gaerth fell victim to Jesse Spaanderman’s dramatic catch and then the captain struck again, van den Dool taking the catch to remove Ferreira. Other than a rearguard 18 from Jarrad Gardner, the Bulls were all out for 133, their worst tally of the season. Dylan Belward got the reply going with a neat 30 off 29 balls and Park overcame a stutter which cost them the wickets of Tonkin for a duck, and Baxter, for five. Buddy Robinson’s unbeaten 55, however, proved the match-winner with Oli Clark adding 18 and van den Dool 22 to crown a decent day with bat and ball. Saturday’s win made up for Park’s Friday night’s Twenty20 defeat to Royals. The Magpies suffered a batting nightmare as the Tigers emerged from the doldrums to enjoy an eight-wicket victory on Turf East on Saturday. Ryan Hick top scored for the Magpies but his 25 came late in the day as his side staged a minor recovery from a situation which could have been even worse. The Magpies eventually capitulated for 97 with David Brown’s 3-20 the best of the Tigers bowling. What will please the Tigers most is the way they knocked off the chase with a minimum of fuss, albeit after losing both openers with just nine runs on the board. Devon Jefferis struck 42 off 83 balls while Milan Jaggi took 64 balls to reach 45 as both remained unbeaten to see their side home.