Forbes' Under 12s representative side made their way to their second consecutive grand final of the Lachlan Cricket Council competition in front of a good crowd at Grinsted Oval on Sunday.
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Forbes has remained unbeaten in the southern pool of their competition, but Sunday's semi-final was one where the boys seemed focussed on their opposition, arch nemesis Parkes, and not their own game, making for a tense afternoon.
Forbes won the toss and batted first, with openers Cameron Gordon (20) and Thompson Hurford (16) again providing a good foundation, losing Hurford with the score at 37.
Gordon and Mac Glasson (19) continued to build Forbes innings, although the pace slowed with the introduction of man of the match Harry Yelland (6-14 off 6 overs). Gordon fell with the score on 58, and was quickly followed by Dempsey O'Connell.
Glasson and Marcus Hardy (19) picked the run rate up towards the drinks break and got Forbes back on top with a short but quick partnership of 25. Losing Glasson just after drinks with the score at 83 saw the game change.
Yelland and his wicket keeper went through the Forbes innings from here gaining an amazing four stumpings for the innings. Forbes' lower order hasn't had to bat much so far this year and did well to bat for an extended period.
Looking back, Forbes did not keep the pressure on, allowing the young Parkes team to strengthen from the foothold they had in the game.
Cayden Metzeling (10) and the remainder of the batsmen battled with pitch.
Forbes was all out for 114, shy of what they would have liked but the side's strong bowling line up stood up.
Parkes got off to a flier, with their openers finding the boundary before a beauty of a yorker from O'Connell (1-10 off 5) smashed opener Simpson's stumps.
Parkes' upper order continued to stick around and slowly accumulate partnerships with Yelland (40).
However Forbes continued to slowly remove Parkes batsmen with Glasson (2-6 off 4), getting reward for straight bowling, as had the unlucky Hardy (0-5 off 3), who took a one-handed screamer at first slip to get some momentum Forbes' way. But it was the in-form Max Hazell (3-14 off 7) who came to the fore removing Yelland and then the middle order.
Once Forbes broke through they were never going to be stopped and the boys should be congratulated for their accuracy and persistence. Metzeling (2-17 off 6) assisted Hazell and the pressure told on the Parkes youngsters with 2 run outs to finish the innings. Parkes all out for 88, and Forbes winning by 262 runs.
In the end the result the boys, their Coach and crowd wished for. It should be noted this is only the second time the team has played on turf this year due to all the rain, which contributed to the nervous tension.
Hopefully the grand final sees them return to form and defend the title Forbes won last year, including the some of the boys from this team.
Forbes vs Wellington-Gilgandra at South Circle from 10am this Sunday - be there.
PICTURED: Manager Andrew Glasson (back) Max Hazell, Bryce Tandy, Dempsey Oconnell, Ash Kennedy, Marcus Hardy, Jackson Browne, coach James Metzeling (front) Cayden Metzeling, Thompson Hurford, Gus Field, Cameron Gordon, Mac Glasson, Lachlan Wallace.
