Young star Teague Valli leads Royals to breakthrough B-grade premiership

Royals have clinched a thrilling B-grade grand final after young star Teague Valli snared the final two wickets to help his side beat Manypeaks at Turf South on Saturday afternoon. Peaks were set 159 to win their fourth straight Albany and Districts Cricket Association B-grade title but Valli emerged as the hero, with the Lions prevailing in tense finish. After slipping to 4-30 in the run chase, a terrific innings from Warwick Durack helped put Peaks in the box seat. He and Wade Anning shared in a 59-run stand before Rob Berwick removed Anning for 24 to leave Peaks 5-89. The runs continued to flow, however, as Durack reached a half century and his side needed 45 runs from the final 10 overs. The Lions turned to their opening bowlers and Durack skied a ball off Valli, which was well caught by Shane Manser, but his side were closing in on victory at 6-130. However, that all changed in the space of just three overs as the Lions stormed to an unlikely win. Jakob Douglas was playing aggressively and pulled a ball strongly off Tyler Crommelin that went to the boundary but stepped back on his stumps in the process and had to depart for 22. Crommelin then struck George Sippe in front for a duck to give his side more belief as Peaks fell to 8-140. In the next over Valli found the edge of Lee Douglas’ bat and then clean bowled Trent Herbert with the next delivery to seal a memorable grand final triumph for his side. Valli was deservingly named player of the final after snaring 5-23 from 7.5 overs and making a vital 26 with the bat. The young all-rounder claimed Tom Sutherland (2) and Trent Poett (0) in his first spell and then got the big breakthrough of Durack (59 from 83 balls). Peaks lost 5-11 after Durack was dismissed to be all out for 141. Crommelin played his part with the ball as well, finishing with 3-17 from his nine overs as the Lions secured a 17-run victory. The result ends a B-grade premiership drought that stretches back to the 80s for the Lions. Earlier, Matt Palfrey and Valli rescued the Lions batting innings after they won the toss and batted. Crommelin made 34 at the top but Devon Jefferis (0), Dan Robson (4) and Dame Leo (0) all went cheaply and their side was in real trouble at 4-41. A defiant 79-run partnership from Palfrey and Valli helped the Lions set a winning score. Palfrey hit seven boundaries in his 58 from 67 balls as his side scored quickly in the final 10 overs to reach 8-158. Durack (3-26) and Brendan Pollard (3-19) were the pick of the Peaks bowlers.