Skipper Mitch Green blasts half-century as Royals power to second straight ADCA T20 premiership

Royals powered to a second straight T20 title after a dominant display against Collingwood Park on Friday in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association’s first twilight grand final. The decider was finished under lights at Turf North, with both teams wearing coloured clothing, and white balls used in front of a healthy crowd. The Lions compiled an impressive total batting first and then were disciplined with the ball as they recorded a 57-run triumph to seal back-to-back premierships. Skipper Mitch Green was the star for the winners, blasting seven sixes in his match-winning knock of 83 which helped set their rivals 152 to win. His side were never seriously challenged by Park in the run chase, as only three players reached double figures on their way to making 8-94. Park were left to rue a disappointing performance in the field, dropping several catches, including Green before he had reached 20. The Lions lost Lincoln Joy (2) and Ted Batchelor (1) cheaply after impressive early spells from Josh Dallimore and Ben Grey. Green and Jack Hastie steadied the ship for the Lions with a 31-run stand before Ollie Davidson brought Hastie undone on 16. The Lions were 3-44 when Hastie departed with Green only on 19, but he accelerated the scoring rate from that point. Green hit a couple of big sixes over the leg-side boundary and raced to a half-century to push his side past 100. The Lions scored 56 in the final five overs as Grey’s fourth over went for 19 and young seamer Buddy Robinson also copped some punishment as his second over cost 15 runs. Green finished unbeaten on 83 from 59 balls with eight boundaries, making Park pay for the missed opportunity early on. Matt France played a vital role with 29 from 25 balls and the Lions reached 5-151 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Davidson (1-25) and Dallimore (1-24) were both effective in their roles and Grey snared 2-27 from his four overs. Park made a steady start in reply but lost Scottish international Davidson for one when he skied a ball off France. John Miell played some attacking shots in a bid to keep his side scoring at the required rate but Park struggled to find boundaries in the first six overs. Miell was removed by Dylan Holt after a well-made 22 and Ryan Davies (8) was caught in the next over off his brother Hayden Davies to leave Park 3-39. Joy’s spin brought Jed Schwarzbach undone as Park fell to 4-53. Alex Garlick hit one six in his knock of 18 but he fell when opener Teague Valli was swung back into the attack. Dallimore was trapped lbw for a second-ball duck and then France threw down the stumps at the non-strikers end to send Robinson back to the pavilion for 15. Hayden Davies snared a second wicket and the Lions cruised to victory as they restricted Park to less than 100 in reply. Joy was important with 2-14 from his four overs, while Hayden Davies (2-18) and Valli (1-20) also contributed well to the title win. Green said it was a pleasing grand final display and praised the initiative to play under lights. “We have really enjoyed this concept and good on the association for bringing it in,” Green said. “I thought we produced a good all-round display and it is a good performance as we head towards the one-day finals. “Collingwood Park really challenged us early on but we found a way to post a competitive total and then our effort with the ball was really strong.”