At a hot and steamy Johnny Martin Oval, the Manning side were narrowly defeated by Hastings in an eight-run thriller.

Lacking regular strike bowler David Rees, who was unavailable, and the dependable Scott Saunders, Manning did well to restrict Hastings to 6/208 from 50 overs.

In match-winning performances, David Bolster top-scored for Hastings with 79, ably assisted by Rob McColl with 71 not out.

The pair combined to put on 131 for the 3rd wicket.

Wicket takers for Manning were Corey Shields 1/47, Daniel Stone 2//40, and Brad Staff 1/36.

In reply, the powerful Manning batting line-up was dismissed for 201 in the 49th over, falling 8 runs short of victory.

All batsmen got a start, but none went on with the job to post a match winning score.

Cole top-scored with 39, with captain Staff next on 25.

Hastings bowled and fielded magnificently, leading wicket takers being Bennett 3/31, Aldous 3/38, and David Stone 2/59.

Man-of-the-match David Bolster contributed 1/12 off five.

Manning had no excuses, Hastings being better on the day, and worthily retaining the trophy.

To reach the last 16 in the SCG Cup, and narrowly lose to Hastings in the MNCCC Final, was no disgrace in what was the team’s ‘comeback’ season.

Next Sunday February 21 the Manning U-19 Colts play Hastings U-19 at Cedar Party Reserve at Wingham.

In other Wingham cricket news, the town’s B-Grade side defeated Mount George by six wickets in a rain-soaked match at Central Park.