Coen Markwick was the headline act as Railways provided the shock of the round with a seven-wicket victory over Mt Barker in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday.
The loss on Turf East dents the Bulls’ hopes of a top-two finish as finals loom — and they were not helped either by Royals’ notching two victories as they beat Park on Saturday and then clinched a tight catch-up win over the Tigers on Sunday.
The table is not happy reading for the Bulls who had been the main pursuers of leaders Manypeaks but have now lost that status to the Lions who are finishing with a flourish.
The star on Saturday, however, was Marwick who was unbeaten on 67 as the Tigers cruised past the Bulls’ 124 to reach 3-125 and record their best win of a disappointing campaign.
The Tigers’ skipper also shone with the ball, taking 4-25 and wreaking havoc alongside Milan Jaggi (3-32).
Only Neil Ferreira and Joe Robinson made any impression with the bat for the Bulls as they slumped to a fifth defeat of the season.
Ferreira got a start with a run-a-ball 23 while Robinson ran out of partners with his 19 not out.
It was the demise of Fereira, who was caught by Fraser King off Marwick, which started the Bulls’ tail of woe at 3-53.
Jeremy Wood was caught by Milan Jaggi on the square leg boundary for nine, Ryan Gaerth edged Milan Jaggi to wicketkeeper Devon Jefferis for 15 and then Jarrad Gardner did exactly the same two balls later to be out for a duck and leave the Bulls on 6-77.
Robinson struggled on but only Clayton Wood really helped the cause with 14 as Seth Davis, Paul Osborne and Craige Anning were mopped up by Marwick, Mohit Jaggi and Daniel Thomas respectively.
Marwick’s 67 in the Tigers’ reply came off 94 balls and was a nice mix of patience and pleasure as he snacked seven fours and a six to record his best knock of the season.
Jefferis, who had snared three victims from behind the stumps, joined him in the reply with a useful 29 off 48 balls before being caught by Gardner off Osborne.
Milan Jaggi then added 14 before falling to a Robinson catch off Osborne, allowing Mohit Jaggi to finish things off with three off the last ball to leave him unbeaten on six as the Tigers won in 32.2 overs.
Marwick matched his Saturday score the following day with 67 in the Tigers’ total of 7-216.
They had been attempting to chase down a target of 230 and looked well placed until they ran out of overs with Mohit Jaggi unbeaten on 38.
Lincoln Joy (52) and Teague Valli (50) were best with the bat for the Lions while Leighton Smith was unbeaten on 38.
Marwick also had a good day with the ball, taking 4-25.
