ADCA 2025-26: Valli and Thompson the men for the big occasion after guiding Royals into another grand final

Royals young guns Ryley Valli and Matt Thompson produced sparkling individual performances on Saturday to lead their side into a fifth A-grade grand final in six seasons. The pair were the young men for the big occasion, Ryley Valli hitting a century and Thompson claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul as the Lions handed out a qualifying final hiding to Manypeaks in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association competition. Victory on Turf North sent the Lions straight to Saturday’s grand final and left Peaks to battle in the last-chance saloon, a test they passed with victory over defending premiers Mt Barker on Sunday to earn a repeat meeting with the Lions in the showpiece. Ryley Valli’s contribution of 131 off 132 balls was the highlight of the Royals’ innings as all but Mitch Green (39) and Lincoln Joy (21) made only minor contributions with the bat. He was the unstoppable force which held the Lions together as Peaks threw at him everything they had – and which was more than enough to dispatch most of those who kept him company. After being put in, he and Harry Grigson put on 52 for the first wicket, Grigson contributing 12 before being caught by Seb Stanton off Jeremy Stewart. Another 54 was added to the tally in company with Joy before a century partnership with Green brought up the 200-run total and put things out of reach for Peaks. Matt France added 12 and then Jack Hastie was unbeaten on nine late on as they closed on 9-260 thanks to the star of the show. Paul Donaldson sent down nine fiery – but expensive – overs to take 3-66, while Jeremy Stewart was the pick of the Peaks’ attack thanks to his 3-40 which removed the Lions’ top three – including the scalp of Ryley Valli. Thompson’s 5-44 then powered his side straight into the flag decider. The Peaks’ reply wobbled from the start, Stanton going for a duck second ball and Alby Berridge following soon after for five to leave them on 2-17. Opener Regan Poet stuck around for 24 off 41 balls and moved things along with Kane Pinney (28) after Warwick Durack (18) and Donaldson (2) had bitten the dust. However, Poett was caught by Green off Thompson to leave Peaks in dire straits on 5-52 and then Pinney fell to leave them without a paddle on 6-73. The tail wagged, albeit in a losing cause, as Oliver Douglas added 27 and then Liam Davies and Cameron Walsh each added 17 before Ambrose Clayton (three) was the last man to fall to leave them on 152 and 109 runs shy of victory. In a wonderful eight-over spell, Thompson returned 5-44 as he removed five of the Peaks’ top six and was aided by Hastie’s 3-31.