Reigning premiers Royals hit back with bonus-point victory after a horror start to season

Reigning premiers Royals returned to their best form on Saturday, with a polished batting display guiding them to victory in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association. The Lions were bowled out for just 80 two weeks ago, but they were a class above in the round-three clash with Railways at the weekend, posting 4-225 to set up their 75-run victory. It was their first win of the season after a bye in round one. Ted Batchelor and Mitch Green starred with the bat in the bonus-point victory, while Ryley Valli was also a strong contributor. Valli was the more aggressive batsman in the opening partnership, finding the boundary with ease, while Batchelor played a strong support role working the ball around. The pair added 71 runs to get their side off to a strong start before Valli tried to drive a full toss and was caught at cover for 43 from 59 balls, an innings which included five fours and a six. Lions captain Mitch Green made his way to the crease and took over, scoring freely and working well with Batchelor and that pair added 121 runs in a brilliant partnership. Green was bowled for 69 by opposition captain Coen Marwick, but his damage had been done with five fours and a six from 57 balls. Batchelor was caught behind off Tigers’ recruit Wesley Viraliliu just moments later for 67 from 130 balls. Matt France (17 not out) and Lorcan McNamara (12) took their side past 200. Marwick snared 2-36 off his nine overs to be pick of the Tigers’ bowlers. The run chase was always going to be difficult for the Tigers, who lost regular wickets. Matt France clean bowled Billy O’Meara and then David Brown did exactly the same to Marwick the next over as they fell to 2-19. Keegan Berry was caught for 23 as his side slipped into even more trouble but Ryan Davies and Mohit Jaggi provided some resistance. They added 31 together before Jaggi was bowled by France and that caused them to lose 5-35. Viraliliu, a former Vanuatuan cricketer, and Lachland Tindale piled on 34 for the last wicket, with 22 coming off the bat of Viraliliu including two sixes and a four but they were bowled out for 150 from 41 overs. France finished with superb figures of 3-15 from nine overs including three maidens while Valli (2-13) and McNamara (2-19) snared multiple wickets to secure their side’s first win of the season.