McGregors’ heroics not enough as Northcliffe fall short to Manjimup

Northcliffe hosted Manjimup on a perfect day for cricket but went down to the visitors by 29 runs on Saturday.

Manjimup won the toss and elected to bat first, eager to take advantage of an outfield quickening up with every sunny day.

They got away to a fast start, going at a run a ball for the first six overs with youngster Bailey Maxwell (2-59) wayward in his opening spell.

Jason Treasure (0-29) was keeping it tight at one end but the young quick was leaking runs at the other.

Manjimup put on 49 for the first wicket, then Maxwell took a confidence-boosting wicket, bowling Lachlan Smith (11).

Dan Bayman (5-17) was introduced into the attack and immediately slowed the run rate, his first two overs being maidens.

When Bayman bowled Jack Muir (41) with the score on 81, Manjimup were looking at a total of 200-plus.

But from then on, wickets fell steadily, one of those taken by Reuben Hill (1-22), his first wicket for the club and a moment to savour.

Maxwell had a much-improved second spell, unlucky not to take more wickets as mistimed pull shots eluded fielders.

Bayman cleaned up the tail, the last four wickets falling for just nine runs, to restrict the score to a gettable 194.

Northcliffe’s chase got off to a bad start, with Phil Thomas (0) falling to Jonathon Millar (3-15) off the second ball of the innings.

Dean McGregor (45), given a chance to bat at three after some good form from previous games, joined Wayne Smeathers (14) and the two blunted an excellent opening spell from Millar and Dane Raper (0-35).

When Smeathers fell, Brian McGregor (60) came out to join his brother in the middle and the two put on 60, to give their team a good base to be able to seriously challenge the total set by Manjimup.

After losing their fourth wicket soon after, Treasure (15) came in down the order and helped steer the chase back on track with an important partnership with Brian McGregor.

When Treasure fell with the score on 139, Asa Lamb (3) came in as the last recognised batter.

When Lamb was bowled by Millar, it was up to McGregor to try to steer them home with the tail.

It was just not to be, with McGregor falling soon after Lamb, with no addition to the score.

The last three wickets fell for just two runs, leaving Northcliffe bowled out for 165.

Northcliffe will travel to play Boyup Brook next round, while Manjimup host Pemberton.