Big hitting helps Royals defeat rain and Railways as Collingwood Park and Mt Barker game washed out

Royals claimed their first victory of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade season in a rain-affected match against Railways at Turf South on Saturday. There was only one completed match in round three of the A-grade competition, however, as just a few hundred metres away on Turf East, the game between Mt Barker and Collingwood Park was abandoned. The Tigers posted 8-206 batting first, and after a heavy shower and loss of overs, set the Lions a revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 114 for victory. Lions recruit Dan Robson hit a six off Simon Harvey in the second-last over to help his side claim a nine-wicket victory against the reigning premiers. To constitute a game, the Lions had to bat a minimum 25 overs and they got across the line with one over to spare. Players came from the field just one over into the Lions’ batting innings after heavy rain fell. When play resumed, Robson and youngster Ryley Valli produced a wonderful opening partnership to put their side in a strong position in the shortened chase. Players left the field again due to rain at around the 20th over but Robson and Valli upped the ante when they resumed before Valli was removed by Hayden Davies on 47. Robson was joined at the crease by captain Mitch Green at 1-93 and the pair ensured the Lions secured their maiden win of the 2020-2021 campaign. In his new colours Robson finished unbeaten on 52, which included four boundaries and one maximum. The Tigers set an impressive 206 on the back of blazing half centuries from openers Alan Pietersen and Coen Marwick. The pair shared in a 133-run first wicket partnership that had their side on track for a score above 250 at one stage. Green got the crucial double breakthrough, dismissing Marwick for 53 and then Pietersen two balls later for a well complied 71 Aubin Spurr added 32 but the Tigers lost momentum at the back end as the Lions bowlers helped limit the damage. Green snared 2-15 off his nine overs while spinners Leighton Smith (2-24) and Angus Thompson (2-38) were effective. The match between the Bulls and Park was abandoned after the pitch was deemed too wet. Park’s batting innings was reduced to 43 overs due to rain and the Bulls chase lasted just two balls before play stopped again. The game resumed for seven overs before it officially called off. Collingwood Park posted 7-127 led by 53 from captain Matt Heberle earlier on.