Cricket Ipswich celebrates with ‘Friday Night Lights’

MEDIA RELEASE

Cricket Ipswich celebrates with ‘Friday Night Lights’

Cricket Ipswich is riding a wave of momentum into the official opening of the 2025/26 season and its new Baxter Oval floodlights this Friday night.

Fresh from a stunning grand final victory in the Premier Cricket men’s T20 second grade competition last weekend, the attention now turns to Friday’s match between the Ipswich Invitational team and the Bulls Masters at the Ivor Marsden complex.

Both teams are loaded with big hitters, crafty spinners and gun quick bowlers, ensuring a thrill-a-minute experience for spectators when play starts at 6.15pm.

The Bulls team features a host of players with first-class cricket experience, including Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Maher, Nathan Reardon, Charlie Hemphrey, Luke Feldman, Gavin Fitness, Jack Prestwidge, Connor Sully and Steve Paulsen

The Ipswich Invitational team will honour some of the region’s most loyal and talented club men and women with the likes of Mick Sippel, Kade Martin (Laidley Mulgowie Blue Dogs), Dominic Salton (Northsiders), Hannah Freiberg (Hornets), Lachlan Vellacott (Central Districts / Hornets), Jacob Sarra (Brothers) and Rowan Lutter (Fassifern / Hornets) named in the Invitational team.

Vellacott has led Central Districts to three-straight Ipswich First Division premierships and only last weekend played alongside Lutter in the Hornets’ T20 success.

Entry for the match is free, with families encouraged to get to the venue early with full canteen and bar facilities open, along with great dinner options from two food trucks.

Some great raffle prizes will be drawn; while fans can bid for their favourite player’s game-day shirt during the auction.

Ipswich’s next generation of talent will also be on display with junior members of the Hornets Academy honing their skills before the main match.

Cricket Ipswich president Paul Newlove acknowledged the support of the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF) and the Ipswich City Council following their joint $1 million investment into the lighting upgrade.

“The new floodlights are a game-changer for Cricket Ipswich and our members,” Newlove said.

“We’ve already witnessed some great matches here under the new lights with senior men’s and women’s Premier T20 matches, as well as the annual Mick Brennan Cup match.

“It’s a huge honour to host the Bulls Masters team and the Ipswich Invitational side for the official opening, which is shaping up to be a fantastic event for our community.”

Newlove also congratulated the two umpires who have been appointed to the match – Rodger Tongue and Matt Van de Werken.

EVENT DETAILS

- Bulls Masters v Ipswich Invitational, T20 match

- Friday, September 12, 6.15pm

- Canteen and bar facilities open from 5pm (plus two food trucks)

- Great family entertainment; raffles and auctions