Valli hits the heights as classy century helps Royals dispatch Railways and boost chances of top-two finish

A commanding century from Ryley Valli helped Royals wallop their way to a 202-run victory over Railways and boost their hopes of a top-two finish in the Albany and District Cricket Association A-grade competition. Their 8-303 at Turf North on Saturday was their best tally of the season, and it came thanks to an immovable partnership at the top of the order, with Ryley Valli and Leighton Smith (50), plus a telling contribution from Valli’s younger brother Teague, who was in the middle when the elder sibling celebrated his ton. The Tigers threw everything at the Lions’ openers but there were 137 runs on the board before Smith became their first victim, run out after a mix-up in the middle. Smith lost his footing as he tried to get back to his crease and was stranded on all fours as his bails were whipped off by Devon Jefferis from Milan Jaggi’s throw. The breakthrough led to better things for the underdogs, who removed Lincoln Joy (5) and Matthew France (15), but Teague Valli joined his older brother at the crease to add 44 runs from 54 balls. In the middle of all that, Ryley Valli celebrated a smooth century, eventually succumbing to Mohit Jaggi for 116 off 135 balls and leaving his side completely in control at 3-259. Teague Valli was on 40 at the time of his brother’s dismissal, and added four more before waltzing down the wicket to Coen Marwick and being stumped by Jefferis. Ryan Davies was unbeaten on 16 at the close of Lions’ 50 overs, while Marwick was the Tigers’ best bowler with 3-48. A crippling 36 extras did not help the Tigers’ cause. As Marwick shone with the ball, he was also best with the bat, lasting the innings with an unbeaten 47. Unfortunately, his teammates were of little help, with fellow opener Billy O’Meara going for a golden duck, and Mohit Jaggi adding 14. Jefferis (10) was the only other batter in double figure as the Tigers collapsed for 101 in the 29th over. Marwick’s tally came off 69 balls and included two fours and two sixes. Lorcan McNamara took 3-11 to have an enjoyable afternoon with the ball, while Matthew Gilfellon (2-12) and Smith (2-11) were also economical in the field for the winners. The double-bonus-point win helped the Lions stay within four points of second-placed Mt Barker heading into the final three rounds of the regular season. Mt Barker, meanwhile, were also comfortable winners over Denmark, easing to a seven-wicket win on Turf East. A poor batting effort from the Magpies, who were missing talisman Campbell Robertson, saw them crash out for only 111, with Matthew Burton the top scorer with 21 runs. Cooper Barlow (16), Nathan Benson (20) and Teo Forman (11no) offered up some resistance late in the day, but it was a good session for the Bulls’ bowlers as the Magpies capitulated. Patrick Butler bagged 3-27, while Seth Davis (2-16), Ryan Gaerth (2-14) and Jeremy Wood (2-13) were all too hot to handle. In the Bulls’ reply, Michail Muller and Joe Robinson were both dispatched by Lewis Culver for ducks but that was as good as it got for the Magpies as Alex Fergie (26), Neil Ferreira (52no) and Gaerth (17no) reached 3-112 on cruise control in the 21st over. There was no respite for the Magpies in their Twenty20 double-header on Sunday. They were all out for 57 against the Bulls in their first game, a mark passed by the Bulls without losing a wicket. Tyler Crommelin (34no) and Muller (23no) saw them reach 60 in just 4.5 overs. They fared better against Manypeaks in their second outing, with Barlow’s 36 topped up by Lewis Culver’s 25, but the Magpies fell short in pursuit of 139 to win. Ryan Kinnear grabbed 3-9, while earlier his Peaks teammates Tom Leaver (25) and Regan Poett (37) did most of the work with the bat. The win helped Peaks secure a place in the T20 grand final against the Lions.