ADCA 2023-24: Royals claim grand final rematch after setting huge total on the back of strong batting display

Royals have started the 2023-24 Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition in commanding fashion, thumping Mt Barker in the grand final replay on Saturday afternoon. The Lions had the bye in the opening round and fielded new additions Rhys Lewis and Ryan Davies — who both scored vital runs in their side’s massive total of 7-280. The Bulls were without key duo Nathan Crudeli and Nathan Crosby, but they were blown away from the outset, the 184-run result leaving the defending premiers without a win in the first two rounds of the new season. The Lions roared to a double bonus point win after skittling the Bulls for just 96 in reply, as swing bowler Hayden Davies snared a five-wicket haul. Hayden Davies 5-33 was decisive in the Lions’ round two triumph, but it was his side’s big effort with the bat that set the tone. A 55-run opening stand from Ted Batchelor and Mitch Green was the catalyst before Lincoln Joy and English talent Lewis, on debut, pushed the Lions towards a big score. Joy and Lewis combined for 108 runs as they dominated the Bulls’ attack before Craige Anning finally broke through. Anning bowled Joy for 63 from 61 balls, including three sixes, and Lewis followed soon after when he was caught by Clayton Wood off Anning for 56. The Bulls had three in quick succession when Angus Thompson was run out for a duck but Ryan Davies and all-rounder Matt France then produced a damaging partnership. Ryan Davies hit three boundaries in his 34 for his new club but it was the innings of France that set the Lions up for a score beyond 250. France belted five sixes and two fours in his swashbuckling knock of 63 from just 36 deliveries. Davies was out for 34 and France eventually fell to Bulls debutant Joe Swan but the Lions finished on 7-280 from their 45 overs. Swan, Jarrad Gardner and Anning all took two wickets but only Swan (2-42 from nine overs) and Clayton Wood (0-19 from four) went at less than five runs an over. In the big chase the Bulls lost skipper Jeremy Wood for eight before Hayden Davies had his first wicket, removing Alex Fergie for 16. Patrick Butler was bowled and when Lorcan McNamara then had Clayton Wood caught behind without scoring, the Bulls were reeling at 4-34. Jarrad Gardner (17) and Steven Scott (20) provided some lower order resistance but the Lions had them bowled out for under 100 inside 25 overs. Hayden Davies snared 5-33 from his allotted nine overs while youngster Matt Thompson took the important wicket of Neil Ferreira and returned 2-6 from four overs.