Lincoln Joy cracks unbeaten century and Angus Thompson takes five wickets in second straight win for Royals

A sparkling century from Lincoln Joy and five wickets to Angus Thompson has powered Royals to an emphatic 142-run victory over Collingwood Park in round two of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition on Saturday. The Lions posted a formidable total of 234 before ripping through Park’s batting order with ease as they cruised to their second straight win of the season. With the Lions batting first, Ryley Valli and Ted Batchelor got their side off to a cracking start before Valli was run-out by Peter Darmody on 22. But Park were not able to generate any momentum as Joy stepped up to the crease to partner with Batchelor and they piled on 50 more runs. Batchelor was caught from the bowling of Ben Grey, sending captain Mitch Green to the crease to face his first ball of the 2022-23 season. Green combined superbly with Joy to put together a 104-run stand. Josh Dallimore finally broke that partnership removing Green for 40 from 40 balls in the 40th over, and then Leighton Smith was dismissed for three runs as the Lions fell to 4-220. Joy and Matt France saw out the remaining two overs. Joy’s brilliant unbeaten innings of 107 from 96 balls was full of firepower as he hit nine fours and two sixes in a dazzling display. Park’s run-chase got off to a rocky start, with Rory Luscombe (8 runs) and Mitch Woods (6) falling cheaply. When star Scotland recruit Oliver Davidson was caught on 28, Park were 3-50. Park found no reprieve through their middle order with captain Brad Bootsma (7) and Jarrad Fuller (10) both caught off the bowling of Angus Thompson in the space of three overs. After those two wickets, Park’s bottom-order collapsed with Royals taking the remaining five wickets for just 19 runs on their way to a comfortable victory. Thompson was outstanding with the ball, returning impressive figures of 5-13 while youngster Teague Valli took 1-5 including two maiden-overs. The best of the bowlers on a tough day for Park were Grey (2-32) and Dallimore (1-67).