Forestry dash Pemberton’s finals hope after big win

As the 2021-22 season draws to an end, top side Forestry hosted Pemberton in the final game of the home and away season and destroyed their opposition by 77 runs.

Pemberton had everything to play for with a win guaranteeing them a place in the finals.

Forestry’s captain Kallan Fall won the toss and elected to bat.

His side got off to a great start with openers Dan Ward (70) and Kayne Aitken (26) took the team to 65 before Aitken fell to John Starkie ( 3-1-14). That brought the unorthodox Corey Gibellini (64) to the crease, where he and Ward continued to pile on the runs to see the score race past 100 at the 15-over mark.

Gary Mills (9-3-33) and Steve Mills (6-3-19) pulled the run rate back and kept a constant flow of wickets with Forestry bowled out for 241.

Pemberton’s run chase was off to a magnificent start with the opening quality duo of Gary Mills (66) and Peter Bamess (52).

With runs flowing and a big victory looking on the cards captain Fall handed the ball to Josiah Smith (1-2-1) picking up the wickets of Mills and Starkie in the same over to see the game start to swing back towards the home side.

It was then becoming an uphill battle for Pemberton with the Johnston brothers, Jared (9-4-8) and Zack (3-1-10) brought into the attack.

The game pulled away from Pemberton taking their finals chances with it. Forestry’s 77-run win means they take a bit of form into the finals.

In Saturday’s finals the top two teams, Forestry and Manjimup, will play the second semifinal at Collier Park for a place in the grand final on March 5.

Meanwhile third and fourth-placed sides Bridgetown and Boyup Brook will play in the first semifinal at Bridgetown.

The preliminary final will be played on February 27 between the loser of the second semi and winner of the first semi for a massive weekend of finals ahead.