Perfect weekend for Royals and Collingwood Park sends them through to the ADCA T20 grand final

Royals and Collingwood Park have qualified for the Albany and Districts Cricket Association Twenty20 grand final after both sides had success in their respective fixtures at the weekend. The Lions had wins over Mt Barker on Friday night and Manypeaks on Saturday afternoon while Park rattled off consecutive victories against the Bulls and Railways on Saturday. The two wins ensured Park finished on top of the ADCA T20 ladder with a perfect record of four wins from as many games while the Lions cemented second place, finishing with three wins and one loss in the short format. In the round five fixture on Friday at Turf South, a formidable batting display from Mitch Green helped the Lions finish 28-run winners over the Bulls. With the Lions winning the toss and electing to bat, Green smashed 89 off 57 balls in a classy innings. Green and fellow opener Lincoln Joy shared in a 71-run opening stand before Joy (45 runs) was caught off the bowling of Patrick Butler just shy of a half century. Butler’s wicket failed to halt the Lions’ momentum though as Ted Batchelor stepped up to add 27 runs off 25 balls as they cruised to 1-163. Young pace bowler Teague Valli bowled Jeremy Wood and teammate Caleb Haua took the scalp of Neil Ferreira shortly after to leave the Bulls at 2-36. Star all-rounder Nathan Crudeli joined the fray to belt 56 off 44 balls but wickets fell around him as Clayton Wood (10), Jarrad Gardner (3) and Jason Jones (3) were all removed in the space of five overs to leave the Bulls struggling at 5-69. Jonte Eastough (13) and Butler (13) were both dismissed and despite the Lions failing to snag the all-important wicket of Crudeli, they restricted the Bulls to 7-135 in reply. Joy (2-28) was the only multiple wicket-taker for the Lions. In round three at Turf North on Saturday, the Lions chased down Manypeaks’ total to secure their place in the final. Regan Poett (30) and Seb Stanton (28) set Peaks on their way after Kane Pinney was trapped in front by Teague Valli for a duck. English quick James Bottomley contributed with 28 runs as Peaks reached 6-118 from their 20 overs. Myles Holland departed for 11, caught short of his crease after a crisp Lincoln Joy drive was touched by the bowler, Pinney, on the way back to hitting the stumps. Peaks had the wickets of Matt France (5), Joy (22), Jack Steel (6) and Teague Valli (22) as they slumped to 5-93 but a strong cameo from Ryley Valli (44 runs from 35 balls) helped steer the Lions home in the 19th over with five wickets to spare. In the other round three fixture at Turf South, an outstanding bowling display from Jarrad Norton helped Park skittle the Bulls before they secured victory with 12 balls to spare. The Bulls were in early strife when Alex Fergie was bowled by Ollie Davidson with his first ball faced before Ferreira (8) and Jeremy Wood (19) were removed shortly after to leave them 3-38. Norton snagged the consecutive wickets of Jeremy Wood, Clayton Wood (8) and Jason Jones (7) and the Bulls lost 5-23 to be all out for 76. Norton returned terrific bowling figures of 5-13 in a rampant display with the ball. Despite losing six wickets in the chase, Alex Garlick (23) led the way as Park reached the target with two overs in hand. Later in the day, Park were given a scare as the Tigers came agonisingly close to an upset victory at Turf South, falling four runs short in a thrilling finish. Strong contributions from Garlick (42), Brad Bootsma (24) and Davidson (22) helped Park make 5-134 batting first. Despite the Tigers falling to 4-67, captain Coen Marwick chipped away during the run chase as wickets fell around him. Marwick posted 76 as an opener but the Tigers couldn’t hit the required target in the last over as they finished 9-131, with Park holding on to remain undefeated in the T20 competition. In the other round four clash, a comfortable run chase from the Bulls ensured they finished their T20 campaign in winning fashion against Peaks at Turf North. Poett (58) and Kane Pinney (22) helped Peaks post a respectable total of 2-110 but efficient batting from Jeremy Wood (48 off 36 balls) and Clayton Wood (39 off 32 balls) ensured they reached their target in the 15th over for the loss of only four wickets. The grand final will be contested between Park and the Lions on Sunday, February 5.