WBCA: Forestry secure third successive premiership win

Forestry have gone back-to-back-to-back, securing their third successive premiership after defeating Bridgetown in an outstanding performance in the Warren Blackwood Cricket Association grand final.

Forestry won the toss and chose to bat, looking for a runs-on-the-board approach.

Brendon White and Hugh Mitchell put the pressure on immediately, with the Forestry openers having to bat hard early.

Kane Aitken was dismissed for 11, while Brock Tempra fell soon after to have the home side at 2-62 after 18 overs.

Duncan Wells (25) joined Dan Ward at the crease and the pair started to lift run rate.

The combination worked well, with Ward going on to make 87 before he was out caught by Hugh Mitchell.

The game was fairly evenly poised but after Connor Ipsen came to the crease it changed dramatically.

Ipsen smashed a whopping 88 from just 49 balls to rip the heart out of the visiting side.

Belting nine sixes and one four, his masterclass put Forestry right in the box seat as their score ended up on 7-250 runs at the change of innings.

Shane Glancy was Bridgetown’s best bowler taking 2-48, while Darcy Walsh also claimed two wickets.

The chase was never going to be an easy one for Bridgetown but they definitely had the talent to achieve the task set.

After Ipsen’s batting heroics, he also took the new ball to bowl with some real pace to take two early wickets.

Shortly after Aitken took the wicket of Mitchell gaining Forestry some big momentum.

Mat Tassos (33) batted well, giving his best efforts for the club.

With some big early wickets taken, a lot was left for White to shoulder the load.

White looked dangerous scoring 40 quickly and keeping Bridgetown in the game, however his wicket gave Forestry a significant confidence boost.

The momentum continued, fuelling Josiah Smith to rip through the rest of the away team’s batting line up.

Ward locked down the final wicket, catching Walsh (11) and ending Bridgetown’s chances with 120 runs to go.

Smith was Forestry’s best bowler with 3-10 off six overs, with Reece Edwards chipping in with two wickets.

Ipsen was adjudged man-of-the-match after his stellar all-round performance, which also included a catch.