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Bridgetown lift out of early season slumber after beating Manjimup Cricket Club

Anthony FemiaManjimup-Bridgetown Times
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Manjimup’s Jozef Parkinson hits the ball to leg-side.
Camera IconManjimup’s Jozef Parkinson hits the ball to leg-side. Credit: Ben Loughran/Manjimup Bridgetown Times, Ben Loughran

Bridgetown headed south over the mighty Blackwood River to claim their first win of the season by eight wickets against an in-form Manjimup outfit on Saturday.

Desperate for a win, Bridgetown won the toss under the watchful eye of new umpire Keith Horstmann and had no hesitation in putting Manjimup in to bat.

Last week’s century-maker Jack Muir (7) was looking ominous until James McAlinden took a sharp catch at second slip off the bowling of Laurence Grant (2-21).

Rohan Barber (9) then tried to brush one through mid-wicket but Darcy Walsh was in the way and plucked a great catch.

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Reece Waters (3-43) then produced the ball of the day with an in-swinging leg cutter dismissing promising left hander Lachlan Smith for 25.

Bowling all-rounder Luke Murphy (36) then joined skipper Jozef Parkinson (47) at the crease as they looked to build a partnership.

Things were rolling along nicely until Grant took his second wicket and broke the 58-run partnership with Murphy dismissed for 36.

Off-spinner James McAlinden (3-42) then took the crucial wickets of Parkinson and Dane Raper (1).

Some late hitting from Anthony Femia (15) saw the score reach a respectable 160 with McAlinden and Waters finishing with three wickets each.

Bridgetown began their run chase with the old and new guard of Darren Tassos (78) and Hugh Mitchell (60) respectively walking out to the middle knowing what was at stake.

Mitchell wasted no time in making his intentions clear transporting the bowling to all parts of the ground, including a boundary off his first ball.

It became clear the only way Manjimup was going to take a wicket was bowled or LBW with numerous catches going begging. Skipper Parkinson looked to change things up early introducing leg spin youngster Oscar Murphy to try to claim a much-needed wicket.

Murphy managed to tie up the experienced Tassos with a few maidens and when Parkinson (1-47) finally claimed the wicket of Mitchell for a quick fire 60 off 41 deliveries there was some hope for the Manjimup side.

This hope was short lived as Brendon White produced a colourful innings of 41 and with Tassos combined for a 74-run partnership to pass Manjimup’s score in the 27th over and Tassos finished with an elegant 78.

Some late hitting from duo Darcy Walsh (21) and James McAlinden (35) has sent a clear message to the association that the sleeping dog has arisen.

With Mitch Clothier due back soon, the boys from the Blackwood have their tails up and can sniff a second victory next round against arch rivals Boyup Brook, while Manjimup look to face Forestry.

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