WBCA 2022: A team effort secures Forestry the round four win and a place on top of the ladder

Forestry secured their third win of the Warren Blackwood Cricket Association season in round four on Saturday against Bridgetown, successfully knocking Manjimup off the top of the ladder.

Brock Tempra won the toss and chose to bat, a general Forestry rule.

Kayne Aitken (28) and Dan Ward (21) got the ball rolling as they hit boundary after boundary to start off the innings.

Forestry were in good stead early at 0-42, but two quick wickets from Pemberton’s Sam Tempra had the game in the balance.

Two new batsmen at the crease left the spectators worried for the home side, however Kallan Fall (68) and Brock Tempra (64) exceeded expectations and combined for a 133-run partnership to take the score past 200.

Once Tempra had found his line and length after a few overs, he finished off really well with figures of 2-39 from his nine overs.

Pemberton’s Riley Liddelow (2-36) and Tyson Payne (1-13) tried their best to close out the innings, allowing Forestry only another 14 runs after Fall and Tempra were dismissed.

Foresty finished the innings on a tough-to-beat 5-217.

Pemberton’s chase got off to a rough start, losing several wickets early on in the innings.

Connor Ipsen bowled fast finishing with 3-11 off nine overs, including five maidens.

Ward claimed 1-18 up front while Josiah Smith bowled accurately with some real heat, however went wicketless.

Between the three frontline quicks, they combined for 4-44 from 25 overs, which really put the pressure on Pemberton.

Pemberton’s Peter Bamess was like a fine wine, as he belted 75 runs, but was running out of partners and time.

Liddelow chimed in with 15 runs and David Meehan provided eight of his own.

Pemberton refused to bow down and held Forestry accountable, lasting the full 45 overs.

Unfortunately, despite the side’s tenancity, Pemberton managed only 5-131, losing to the home side by 86 runs.

Forestry will take on Boyup Brook at Boyup Brook Oval next week, while Pemberton again travel north to take on Manjimup. Northcliffe and Bridgetown will also face each other, fighting it out for the top three position at Bridgetown Oval.