Royals eye return to finals

Royals took a significant step towards playing finals in the Albany Cricket Association A-grade competition for the first time in four seasons with a crushing double bonus-point victory over Manypeaks on Saturday.

The seven-wicket win catapulted the Lions into third place on the ladder, but their finals fate will not be in their hands, with the bye during the final round in a fortnight.

Led by their predominant left-arm seam attack, the Lions dismantled Peaks for a paltry 79 inside 35 overs to continue their batting yips at the most important time of the season.

Seamers Dylan Holt and Bodhi Stubber each snared four wickets and no Peaks batsman reached 15 in the demolition on Turf North.

Opener Casey Ganzer went hard at the bowling in the early overs, but when he skied a catch in the inner circle off Holt, the wickets began to tumble at a rapid rate.

In reply, the Lions cruised to victory, losing only three wickets to chase down the total in the 24th over and earn the vital double bonus point.

Young opener Digby Nuthall remained not out on 30.

The Lions need Railways to topple Mt Barker to deny the Bulls, who are only four points behind, a finals place. North County could also dislodge Royals from the top four if they can defeat Denmark with a double bonus point.

Despite the nature of the loss, only the Bulls defeating the Tigers can remove Peaks from second place and the finals double chance.