Ward’s effort with bat and ball set up Forestry success

Round three of the Warren-Blackwood Cricket Association’s 2021-22 season got under way with the host Forestry winning by 128 runs over Northcliffe at the weekend.

Northcliffe captain Jason Treasure won the toss and chose to field with the sun beaming down on what was proclaimed a belter of a wicket.

Forestry started their innings with a productive partnership between Daniel Ward (53) and Mat Johnston (17) despite some great pace from young speedster Bailey Maxwell (1-36).

Johnston was run out for the second consecutive week and Ward was dismissed soon after.

The visitors were looking like getting on top, but it was short-lived with young gun Brock Tempra arriving at the crease to blast a quick fire 37.

Along with Sam Vellios (42), the pair edged the score to 161 before Vellios was run out trying for a cheeky single.

Some line and length bowling by Dan Bayman and excellent spin bowling from Adrian Dusseldorp (3-56) saw the run rate slow up before some late order slogging from Reece Edwards (21 not out) and Jared Johnston (9 not out) helped Forestry to a score of 242 off their 45 overs.

Northcliffe had a disastrous start, with Ward (4-11) ripping through the top order before a strong partnership from Bayman (23) and Dean McGregor (28).

Edwards (1-9) and Braden Gibellini (2-20) started to take the game away from Northcliffe but when Asa Lamb had the first successful review of the season, some life sparked into the game.

It was great to see another father-son combination when junior player Rueben Hill joined Joe Hill, but the spin kings Blake Johnston (2-17) and Vellios (0-11) saw the home side come away with a 128-run win.