ADCA 2025-26: France’s century not enough as Royals collapse and Donaldson takes lead role with bat and ball

Even a mighty century from Matt France was not enough to save Royals in a big run chase against ladder leaders Manypeaks on Saturday. France walloped a run-a-ball 104 in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade contest on Turf North, but his last five partners contributed just seven runs to hand Peaks an impressive 30-run victory. The collapse knocked the stuffing out of the Lions’ hopes of putting pressure on the table-toppers who took advantage of some poor decision-making from France’s teammates to clock up their seventh one-day win of the season having made a mammoth 6-243 batting first. And, with Mt Barker also losing ground after their loss to Collingwood Park, Peaks’ win put them firmly in the driving seat at the top of the ladder. France’s contribution may have been the innings of the day, but the man laughing longest at the close of play was probably Peaks’ Paul Donaldson, whose 74 was topped up by a bowling spell which netted five scalps. He injected some oomph into the Peaks innings in tandem with Alby Berridge just when it was needed and then caused mayhem with the ball. The Lions blew a golden opportunity to maintain their momentum after a good week which netted a victory over Denmark and a Twenty20 triumph over Park. Donaldson looked at home at the crease and moved smoothly towards his half-century despite being stuck on 42 for an age as the Lions pace attack pinned him down. However, three nifty singles and a four got him to 49 before he was able to open his shoulders for a six down the ground off wicketkeeper-turned-bowler Lincoln Joy that clocked up his half-century. Playing freely after that, it was only a shame that he holed out to Harry Grigson off France’s bowling when on 74 and a century looked on the cards. Berridge chipped in with 76 to make the most of the platform set early on by openers Thomas Lever (25) and Seb Stanton (29), while Oliver Douglas’ unbeaten 21 to close their 50 overs topped up the total to make the Lions’ chase just that little bit more tricky. The Lions’ reply didn’t start well as Mitch Green surrendered early, but Grigson (25) and Joy (42) got the ball rolling before France came to the crease at 3-124. At that stage, as France got into a rhythm and smashing nine fours and three sixes, anything looked possible. But only Hayden Parker (19) was able to stay with him as Donaldson mopped up the tail. France was the last man out, caught by Ryan Kinnear off Donaldson, who ended with figures of 5-52 from 9.4 overs. Liam Davies grabbed 2-21 while Douglas took 2-40, bagging the wickets of both Lions openers. The Lions did book themselves a spot in the T20 grand final, with an emphatic six-wicket win over Park on Friday at Turf North. France destroyed Park’s top order with 4-14 as Park limped to 5-27. A 109-run stand between Buddy Robinson and Byron Spaanderman got Park out of trouble and to a decent total. Robinson was unbeaten on 75 from 66 balls with eight boundaries while Spaanderman belted four sixes in his 51 from 38 balls as Park made 7-152. Green made a superb 72 while contributions from Joy (38 runs from 32 balls) and Parker (24no from 11) helped ensure the Lions won with two overs to spare.