Royals grab Mt Barker by the horns to snap 18-year A-grade premiership drought

Royals produced a famous grand final performance to end an 18-year premiership drought and complete a remarkable turnaround story for their club. The Lions failed to field an A-grade side in 2016-17 and now, four years on, are the Albany and Districts Cricket Association’s A-grade premiers after a stunning 27-run victory over fancies Mt Barker in Saturday’s grand final. The Bulls were set 180 to win but the chase proved too difficult for their talented batting line-up, as the final wicket sparked wild celebrations from Lions players and supporters who ran on to the ground. Man-of-the match David Brown snared the prized wicket of Bulls star Nathan Crudeli and returned to trap Paul Osborne lbw to deliver the Lions a long-awaited premiership success. Michael Roberts and Leighton Smith shared in a vital 71-run partnership that helped the Lions reach 9-179 from their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first. Brown, however, made the key early inroads as Alex Fergie was caught on the mid-wicket boundary and he struck again soon afterwards when Nathan Crosby was caught behind. The right-arm seamer claimed the huge wicket of Crudeli for a golden duck after he tried to loft the ball over mid-on only to be caught by Lorcan McNamara. At 3-29, captain Jeremy Wood came to the wicket with the Bulls under plenty of pressure and he produced a defiant innings in a bid to win his side their first A-grade flag in 17 years. Jeremy Wood rode his luck, dropped by Angus Thompson in the 36th over when his side required 73 runs to win, but his 57-run partnership with Neil Ferreira gave their side belief. Lions captain Mitch Green brought himself into the attack and he immediately broke the partnership as Ferreira (38) skied a ball with wicketkeeper Jack Steel calmly catching it, before some heated words were exchanged between Ferreira and Green. Green’s spell changed the game as he claimed three important wickets, including the key dismissal of his counterpart Jeremy Wood for a patient 39 from 76 balls, but his departure left the Bulls 6-123. Young leg spinner Angus Thompson superbly caught and bowled Tim Shephard before Clayton Wood tried to hit a full toss for six over mid-wicket and Leighton Smith ran quickly to his left to take a superb outfield catch. Green bowled Mitch Smith cheaply and then Jarrad Gardner fell to Thompson before Brown returned to finish it off as the Bulls were bowled out for 153, handing the Lions their first premiership since 2002-03. Brown finished with outstanding figures of 4-16 from 6.5 overs while Green (3-29) and Thompson (3-46) were also very important contributors with the ball. Earlier Roberts and Smith rescued the innings for the Lions after they slipped to 5-82 when Green was caught brilliantly by a one-handed divining catch at cover from Crudeli. The Lions got off to a solid start through openers Ryley Valli and Ted Batchelor, who combined for 37 runs while Green (20) and McNamara (16) also chipped in. However, when Green departed, the Bulls had gained the ascendancy. Roberts and Leighton Smith put on 71 runs from 91 balls that went a long way to the Lions securing the title. In his first few overs at the crease, Roberts was floored by a bouncer from Crudeli and he took 24 balls to get off the mark before top scoring with 45 from 86 balls. Leighton Smith played superbly for his 30 that included a six off his brother Mitch Smith in the final couple of overs. The Lions went in without regular opener Dan Robson, who failed to overcome a hamstring injury. Green said it was a huge moment for his club. “To myself it means a hell of a lot, it’s a fantastic club, the club was on its knees four or five years ago we had just come back into A-grade,” he said. “I have been at the club for four years now and to see where the club has grown in the space of those four years, but to also see us win a flag and reward a few of those guys that put in a lot of hard work in those earlier years is pretty special. “I think we were 5-80 at one stage and probably staring down the barrel, but we had a really good partnership between Michael Roberts and Leighton Smith, and to be able to get to 180 batting first in a final is always important. “Michael Roberts has been under pressure a lot all year, but he made a hell of a knock.” Green said he was proud of each and every one of his players. “I think we had four kids under-18 and the way they all stood up in the big moments is what wins grand finals,” Green said. “To win a flag is what you play cricket for. We had a successful weekend as a club as our under-17s were able to get up as well. “We have set the standard for ourselves and next year we become the hunted, but we are young group and we will continue to improve.” Wood lamented his side’s missed opportunities in the decider. “I think we had our chances, we had them at 5-80, probably a couple of opportunities that we didn’t take at that point in time, and then letting them get to 180,” he said. “Its always tough chasing in a grand final. I reckon there would be a lot of games won with runs on the board. “We had some pretty poor dismissals batting-wise. “I think we had five guys get out to full tosses caught in the deep. “You have to pay a lot of credit to Greeny for what he’s done there. “He’s led the boys to a flag the way he’s batted in the second half of the year and he’s grabbed them and chucked them on his shoulders and they’ve jumped onboard and done really well.”