WBCA: Manjimup defeat reigning champions Forestry by 23 runs in first match

Manjimup defeated 2023-24 Warren-Blackwood Cricket Association champions Forestry during the first round of the 2024-25 season, taking the win after Forestry’s chase fell short by 23 runs at Collier Street Sporting Complex. After winning the toss and electing to bat, vice-captain Jack Muir kicked off Manjimup’s batting order and mustered five runs, before being caught by Kallan Fall off Brock Tempra. Daniel Bayman (66) delivered the most runs for Manjimup before being caught and bowled by Blake Johnston, while Oscar Murphy was out for a duck after being bowled by Tempra. Haiden Lagana (37) lifted Manjimup’s score, while his teammates Luke Murphy (5), Cameron Harris, and Manjimup captain Anthony Femia (8) all found themselves quickly departing. James Larkin (14) added some late-game runs for his team, and Manjimup finished their innings with 158 runs for Forestry to chase. Forestry captain Brock Tempra (3-32 from nine overs) and teammate Blake Johnston (2-34 from nine overs) were the multiple wicket-takers for the visitors. In response, Forestry made a quick start with Samuel Vellios (3) and Kallan Fall (13) batting first, although Vellios was quickly despatched after Cameron Harris bowled him, while Fall was caught by Luke Murphy off Jonathon Millar. Mathew Johnston (15) and Brock Tempra (22) narrowed the gap for Forestry, although they both would depart the field after Johnston was bowled out by Millar and Tempra was stumped by Luke Murphy. A fill-in player (25) was on the field for the remainder of Forestry’s batting, while Blake Johnston (33) mustered the most runs of Forestry’s count before being caught by Cameron Harris off Jack Muir’s bowling. One last fill-in player managed to make eight runs before being bowled by Bayman, while David Jeffery (4) was last batter out after being caught by Jonathan Millar off Luke Murphy, with Forestry finishing on 135. Multiple wicket-takers from Manjimup included Daniel Bayman (3-28 from eight overs), and Jonathan Millar (2-4 from five overs).