Big guns fire in Cobba’s Round for reigning premiers Royals in vital nine-wicket win over Manypeaks

Reigning premiers Royals got their season back on track with a vital bonus-point win over over Manypeaks in round seven of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association on Saturday. The Lions had lost three of their first four matches this season but captain Mitch Green powered his side to victory with a terrific unbeaten knock at Turf North. Green finished unbeaten on 94 and shared in a century opening stand with youngster Ryley Valli to help the Lions secure their second win of the season. Peaks were bowled out for 170 batting first but through the brilliance of Green, the Lions passed the target in the 34th over for the loss of only one wicket. Despite losing by nine wickets, batter Seb Stanton was a shining light for Peaks with a brilliant innings of 95 earlier in the day. Green moved back up to the top of the order and it proved a match-winning move as he and Valli put their side in the box seat. Both Green and Valli notched their half centuries and the pair went at just over five an over in their partnership of 111 before Paul Donaldson eventually broke the stand. Donaldson trapped Valli in front for 50 off 79 balls, that included four fours and two sixes, but his side was still in a commanding position. Green started to accelerate as he and Ted Batchelor (14no) polished off the final 60 runs in just 10 overs to secure a bonus point win. The skipper hit two sixes and 11 fours in his knock of 94 from 87 balls. Stanton fell five runs short of his maiden A-grade century to anchor the Peaks innings as they were bowled out for 170 in the 49th over. Seamer Matt France ripped through Peaks’ top order as he claimed three early wickets. He removed Regan Poett with the fourth ball of the match before he struck twice in his fourth over. Last week’s centurion Kieran Howie was bowled for 16 and then Donaldson was trapped LBW four balls later as Peaks crumbled to 3-29. Stanton and Charlie Walters steadied the ship with a 69-run stand as pushed their side towards a decent total. However, when Walters was caught behind for 23, his side lost 3-7 to fall into deep trouble at 5-105. Chris Metcalfe provided some resistance with Stanton as they added 47 before Metcalfe fell for 15. Stanton was the last man to go, run out for 95 from 157 balls after coming in at number three and hitting five fours and a six. Green finished with tidy figures of 3-14 off 9.3 overs while France was vital with 3-47 and Valli claimed 2-26.