Dane Raper heroics see Manjimup just push past Northcliffe

For what could have been Northcliffe’s last game for the season, it couldn’t have been much closer between them and Manjimup as the latter just clinched victory in the last over of the match. Jason Treasure (17) and Wayne Smeathers (53) got Northcliffe off to a fast start. Treasure was looking to continue his fine form with the bat until he nicked a wide one off Anthony Femia (3-44) to the keeper. Coming out with the score on 22, Dean McGregor (25) combined with Smeathers to consolidate, taking the score to 86 before getting run out chasing a risky second run. From there Manjimup were able to take regular wickets, thanks to some good bowling from Jonathon Millar (3-30). When Northcliffe were reduced to 6-154, the game was well in the balance. Enter the finisher, Dave Macdonald (62), who batted well with the tail to take the final score to 8-212, with three big sixes among his knock. With Treasure (2-25) making a couple of early breakthroughs, and being miserly to score off, Northcliffe were on top early. Feeling good about things at the first drinks break, one wayward over from rookie bowler Aaron Brown (0-22) that went for 22 runs turned the tide of momentum towards Manjimup. Cameron Harris (43) and captain Jozef Parkinson (95) went about their business, batting cleverly to take the score to 106. Ring-in player Todd East (1-16) was putting it on a spot the size of a handkerchief, to make sure the run rate was kept in check as well as taking the vital wicket of Harris. Lee Casson (28) played an important knock to keep things ticking along before first gamer Trevor Garrity (1-42) claimed his first wicket for the club. When Femia (1) fell soon after with the score 5-165, thanks to a brilliant direct-hit run out from East, Northcliffe was back in it. Dane Raper (11) helped take Manjimup within a sniff of victory before Parkinson fell to a well judged catch to young Jaymon Macdonald, falling just short of what would have been a well deserved century. Needing four to win off the final over, Raper managed to find the boundary with a straight drive off the second last ball to clinch the tightest of wins.