ADCA 2023-24: Matt France leads the way with the bat as Lions grind out victory over Tigers in round eight

Royals captain Mitch Green says strong depth is the reason behind the Lions’ terrific start to the 2023-24 Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition. The Lions bounced back from their first loss of the season to the Bulls last week with a four-wicket win over Railways at Turf North on Saturday. The round eight victory has the Lions on top of the ladder heading towards the ADCA’s mid-season break. Green was impressed with his side’s ability to chase down a score against an improving Tigers bowling line-up. “The boys are batting with more maturity and building good partnerships this year, which is helping us chase down these tricky totals,” he said. “Full credit to Railways, they bowled well and never let us get away. “Matt France has added another dimension to our batting order and his innings along with Angus Thompson was crucial in getting us across the line. “It was important to bounce back after a poor loss the game before and we took a few learnings from that game (against Mt Barker).” A middle order collapse left some nervous moments for the Lions in pursuit of 157 but the in-form Matt France ensured his side got across the line with 30 balls to spare. Openers Green and Ted Batchelor set a strong platform for the Lions, with a 74-run stand. Batchelor was out lbw to English spinner Joe Stanley on 37 and then Tim Edmunds nicked off Green after a steady knock of 35. Lincoln Joy (2) and Rhys Lewis (0) fell cheaply and when Edmunds had Ryley Valli out for 13, the Lions still had work to do at 5-99. France however would save the day, making an unbeaten 44 to take his season average to 87. Ryan Davies was the sixth Lions wicket to fall with his side needing 37 to win and youngster Angus Thompson (14 not out) combined well with France to ensure it was a comfortable result in the end. France hit only two boundaries but his strong season with the bat continued, having made three half centuries and with a lowest score of 23. Stanley continues to trouble opposition with the ball, taking 2-39 from his 10 overs, while Edmunds returned 3-29. The Tigers’ overseas import also fired with the bat, top scoring with 59 to guide his side out of early trouble. There were no real significant partnerships for the Tigers but Stanley played a variety of shots and worked the ball nicely in his half century that included five fours. After starts from Mohit Jaggi (15) and Billy O’Meara (23), Tigers skipper Coen Marwick played a rare rash shot and was out for seven to Jake Poad. Key man Julian Crudeli was run out for 18 as he was looking ominous and Stanley was eventually undone by fellow spinner Jack Hastie as the Tigers were bowled out for 156. Poad finished with 3-30 and in an innings where the Lions used nine bowling options and wrist spinner Joy was also terrific with 2-26 from 10. The Lions are 10 points clear of the second-placed Bulls after the first eight rounds of the season but they have played two additional T20 games ahead of schedule. “Pleased with the first half of the season, the side continues to mould and we are seeing some genuine improvement in our younger guys,” Green said. “Matt Thompson has stepped up to A-grade and been fantastic with the new ball, we look forward to a break now and will also see some players like Teague Valli return in the new year which is exciting.”