Bridgetown hold off Boyup Brook for sizeable win

In a much cooler weekend compared with last, Boyup Brook welcomed Bridgetown to town in a game that would shape the finals race as Bridgetown won in comfortable fashion.

Bridgetown needed to get off to a good start to push for the win and they got exactly that after they won the toss and elected to bat first.

The good times continued for Bridgetown as Hugh Mitchell dominated with the stick from the start, compiling an impressive knock of 89 off just 91 balls, which included eight boundaries and four sixes.

Combined with helpful contributions from the likes of Shane Glancy (23 runs) and Brendon White (17 runs), that led Bridgetown to a respectable total of 167.

For Boyup, it was a good day to be a seamer. Nik Bunnett, in just his second game back from serious injury, took the match ball home with a very well fought 5-33, while David Johnston battled through back spasms to take 3-37 off his nine overs.

Tristan Mead took the gloves for Boyup and was successful with two catches, as was Braydon Ridley who also had two to his name.

Going in to bat, Boyup knew they could chase the score down, but Bridgetown, needing to win, had other ideas.

The visitors got off to a fantastic start, removing the dangerous Tim Mead after just five deliveries to have Boyup 1-0.

From there it was again the Hugh Mitchell show, with no sign of fatigue after his knock with the stick, taking wickets at regular intervals to keep any chance of a serious fight back from Boyup at bay.

He finished with figures of 4-30 off his nine overs, while Mitchell Clothier also contributed with two handy wickets.

Boyup battled hard throughout their innings, Braydon Ridley (21), Josh Miller (24), Tristan Mead (30) and Todd Carroll (12) all made starts, but when no one was able to turn that start into a good innings, things proved to be too much in the end as Bridgetown bowled Boyup out for 119.

The result leaves the race for the top four wide open, with just seven points separating second and fifth.

It’s all there to play for in the final round of the 2021-22 season next week.