Inswing Ignition create more history after winning third title in four years in Albany’s Southern Smash

The Inswing Ignition created more history in Albany’s Southern Smash, winning a third title in the four years regional WA’s premier T20 competition has been held. The Ignition completed another superb tournament as they defeated the Arc Infrastructure Aces by 48 runs in Friday’s grand final at Turf North. The fourth edition of the Smash was another highly successful one as players from metropolitan clubs mixed with the best in regional WA and they were joined by headline acts Tillakaratne Dilshan and Pavel Florin. Dilshan played his part in the Ignition’s third successive title, taking a wicket in the decider and contributing 14 runs. The Ignition set up the grand final victory with an impressive batting display, led by Willetton star Kallen Bond. Bond smashed a superb half century and shared in a 93-run partnership with Albany product Shayne Wornes to help the Ignition reach 3-147 from their 20 overs. That total proved too much for the Aces, who won all three of their qualifying games, as they were bowled out for 99 in reply. Bond bowled four crucial overs of spin, snaring the key wickets of Brock Larance and Ethan Smith, while Brayden Clarke (3-7) helped wrap up the tail quickly and kick-start the Ignition celebrations. The Ignition finished last in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2019 but have bounced back to record grand final wins in 2020, 2021 and now 2022. Winning captain Dan Rees said it was another terrific tournament. “We were quietly confident despite the changes that we had at draft night,” Rees said. “It was good to win with a few fresh faces. Bondy saved his best for the final again, he was just brilliant. “During the tournament we had so many guys contribute with a few runs or a wicket or a catch and we didn’t rely on one person. “That is so pleasing as a captain to have all-round performances from the guys. “Adam Pumphrey goes well beyond what he should do as an owner and the reason we keep coming back and winning is because of what he’s created, guys are just happy to be a part of it.” The Ignition won the toss and batted first but Albany young gun Charlie Walters snared an early breakthrough for the Aces when he removed John Sanders for seven. Seamer Brayden Brehaut claimed the big scalp of Dilshan for 14 from 15 deliveries to leave the Ignition 2-50 but Bond and Wornes took control of the innings. The pair added 93 runs and Bond was brutal in his hitting with the breeze, smashing three sixes in his brilliant knock. Brehaut eventually claimed his wicket and Bond departed for a superb 84 from only 64 balls but Wornes (36no) kept the runs ticking in the final few deliveries. The only multiple wicket taker for the Aces was Brehaut with 2-30 from four overs. WA Second XI batter Iszak Milentis started the run chase in quick fashion, crunching four boundaries from Bill Mallon’s first over. However Aces star Jaron Morgan, who had set the tournament alight in the qualifying games, was caught for a first ball duck to start the second over. Morgan was caught at mid-on off the bowling of Sanders and Milentis fell to Mallon on 18 soon after. Bond’s two wickets reduced the Aces to 4-47 and when captain Tim Hutchison picked out James Bottomley at short fine leg they were in all sorts of trouble at 5-57. Larance loomed as the man to revive the innings for the Aces with three boundaries in his 22 from 14 balls. Clayton Bruce-Cherry also hit a couple of lusty blows and gave the Aces a glimmer of hope before a horrible mix-up ended with him run out for 33. The Aces lost 5-19 to be bowled out in the 19th over as Clarke helped clean up the tail. He returned 3-7 from 2.1 overs while Bond snared 2-16 from four overs. Dilshan (1-18 from four) and Sanders (1-8 from two) were also vital contributors with the ball for the winners.