ADCA 2023-24: Royals captain Mitch Green says second premiership in four years is deserved by young group

Royals are celebrating their second premiership in four years after a gruelling day of momentum swings and tense moments, as they defeated their arch rivals and grand final opponents of the last four seasons in Mt Barker in front of a big crowd on Saturday afternoon. Premiership captain Mitch Green said the Lions second Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade title this decade was a deserved one having been locked in a terrific battle with the Bulls over the past few years. Having been Mt Barker’s bridesmaid for the past two seasons following their breakthrough 2020-21 triumph, the Lions evened the ledger at two apiece with a spectacular four-wicket victory at Turf North. In a game that ebbed and flowed, it was the Lions who remained better for longer on the back of a superb bowling performance spearheaded by young seamer Matt Thompson. The fiery right-arm bowler claimed a sensational five-wicket haul as his side rolled the Bulls for just 114 inside 46 overs. The Lions fell to 3-17 in their run-chase before vice-captain Ted Batchelor (50) and a courageous Mitch Green (29) guided them home. “It’s a pretty special feeling and this group has deserved it, particularly after the last couple of years,” Green said. “Losing grand finals are always hard to bounce back from but the boys were hungry and they put their best foot forward and played a terrific game, we will enjoy it for some time. “Mt Barker are a quality opposition and we knew they were always going to come at us but the boys stuck tough and got it done.” After the Bulls won the toss and batted first, the Lions launched out of the blocks when opener Matt Thompson dismissed Alex Fergie for three in the second over before Teague Valli skittled Nathan Crosby (2) in the fifth. When Matt Thompson snicked off Jeremy Wood for two the following over, the Bulls were left reeling at 3-9. Star all-rounder Nathan Crudeli and wiry veteran Neil Ferreira were on a recovery mission to salvage the batting innings. In desperate need of a sound partnership, the pair dug deep knocking the ball through gaps for a much-needed 50-run stand. But it was the Lions’ Matt France who stood up during a dialled six-over spell to pinch the key wicket of Ferreira for 38 before soon adding the crucial scalps of Crudeli (29) and Ryan Gaerth in successive deliveries. As the Bulls’ innings began to unravel, Matt Thompson remained ever-dangerous, cleaning up the tail to clinch a superb five-wicket haul. He finished with brilliant figures of 5-20 from 7.4 overs while France was outstanding with 3-20 from his 10 overs. While the match was highlighted by superb individual efforts, Green said it took all 12 players to secure victory. “For us to win is always going to require all 12 to contribute and I think everyone had their moments whether it was out in the field, with the ball or with the bat,” he said. “Matt Thompson as a 16-year-old kid to take a five-fer in his A-grade grand final debut is a huge effort. “I thought Teague (Valli), Matt France and Hayden Davies really stood up for us with the ball. “And then with the bat Ted Batchelor was sensational and those sorts of innings win you grand finals and I’m just really proud of everyone.” The Bulls started hot in their defence when Crudeli snared Lincoln Joy for a royal duck before Steven Scott pinched Ryley Valli (2) and Rhys Lewis (9) within the first eight overs. At 3-17, Lions’ leaders Green and Batchelor stood up when their side needed them most combining for a crucial 65-run fourth-wicket stand. Green copped a vicious bouncer to the forearm from star-quick Crudeli early in his knock and was in visible discomfort but remained steadfast in his effort to steer his side to a memorable triumph. After Green departed for 29, Batchelor raised the bat for a magnificent half-century as the required runs continued to dwindle. Batchelor’s 50 came from 86 balls with three fours and one six before Lorcan McNamara hit the winning runs off Crudeli in the 41st over to seal premiership glory. Bulls captain Wood said while the loss is a bitter pill the swallow, their total with the bat was just simply not enough. “It was a tough loss but give Royals a fair bit of credit, they bowled really well and didn’t give us anything,” he said. “Upon reflection, it was probably a 150 sort of a wicket and if we got there we’ve had more of a chance than 114 but that’s just the way it is. “We will all stick together. We had a really good year and had a fair bit of fun so there will definitely be the desire there to be better.”