Third straight ADCA A-grade grand final appearance for Royals after crushing Collingwood Park in prelim final

Royals booked their place in a third straight Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade grand final after a crushing preliminary final win over Collingwood Park on Saturday. The Lions made light work of their opposition at Turf North as Park were left to lament a poor innings with the bat, as they were thumped by eight wickets. Park were skittled for a paltry 58 runs after a dominant bowling display helped the Lions gain a commanding upper hand early in the final. Three-wicket spells from Matt France, Teague Valli and Hayden Davies were the catalyst for Park’s stunning collapse as they posted their smallest total of the season. Young opener Devon Jefferis (1) was the first to go for Park in the third over and veteran John Miell followed him to the pavilion three overs later, nicking an attempted pull shot to be caught behind on six. Park were in all sorts of trouble at 3-18 when star import Oliver Davidson was clean bowled by Valli in the sixth over. Returning captain Brad Bootsma steadied the ship with a 22-run stand alongside Ryan Davies but when the latter fell for nine in the 14th over, everything fell to pieces. Alex Garlick (2) skied a shot towards short fine leg as Lorcan McNamara completed a spectacular diving catch. Bootsma (12), Buddy Robinson (1), O’Shea Durack (0), Rory Luscombe (7) and Jarrad Norton (0) all fell cheaply as Park lost 7-18 to be bundled out in 25 overs. Spearhead France was outstanding with 3-12 from eight overs and was well supported by Valli (3-17 from 7 overs) and Davies (3-10 from 5) in the rout. Park had an early wicket in the form of Ted Batchelor, the opener hitting a shot to Ryan Davies at short leg who fumbled it back into the hands of the bowler Josh Dallimore to give their side something to cheer about. However, a 41-run partnership between Myles Holland (11) and Lincoln Joy (27no) sealed the game for the Lions in dominant fashion. Holland was trapped in front by Davidson late in the chase but three balls later Joy hit the winning two runs as the Lions stormed into the decider after reaching the target inside 13 overs. Dallimore (1-33) and Davidson (1-2) were the wicket takers for Park as their season came to an end. Lions captain Mitch Green said the emphatic win will hold his side in good stead leading into the grand final against Mt Barker. “It was a really good team performance from the boys and we always knew we could have done it,” he said. “It was a good showing from pretty much everyone, all of them played their role. “I think all the bowlers bowled really well and at the end of the day, Davies could have taken five wickets. “We’re really happy with the win, winning form is good form so we’ll carry that momentum into this week and we’re looking forward to the challenge that presents.” Bootsma made a late decision to return to the line-up for the final following a back injury and said while he was disappointed with the outcome, the Lions were deserved winners. “We definitely didn’t get off to the best start but to Royals credit they bowled in really good areas,” he said. “They made us play shots and bowled really tight which is what you need to do in finals to put pressure on. “Where we were in previous years to where we got to this year, I think we earned a bit of respect back in the competition. “The young kids got some really good games in them and we had great service from Alex Garlick and Ollie Davidson as well. “We made plenty of inroads this season but it’s just sad to play your worst game all year in the final.”