Harvey-Benger’s second grade men’s team in four-run loss to Marist while fourth grade scores 88-run win

The Harvey-Benger Cricket Club’s second grade men’s team suffered a heartbreaking four-run loss to Marist in Bunbury on Saturday after nearly chasing down 229 runs in the dark.

Marist won the toss and elected to bat, with Harvey-Benger bowlers taking a couple of overs to find their rhythm.

Kurt Thompson (3-32) dismissed veteran Lee Sorfleet for three in the eighth over, but Marist’s innings started to gain momentum with Joshua Bradbury hitting 20.

Opener Sam Roots was joined by Matthew Arrowsmith and the pair frustrated the Harvey-Benger bowlers.

Roots was eventually dismissed by captain Francois Roelofsz (1-27) for 82. Arrowsmith (50) was then joined by Marist captain Alan Utterson (27) and they helped the side to a total 8-228 off 50 overs.

Harvey-Benger’s run chase was made even harder after being penalised two overs due to a slow over rate.

Openers Roelofsz and Haydn Jones did their best to see off Marist veteran seamers Utterson and Roots but Roelofsz was dismissed LBW for 18 with the score on 34.

Joseph Cambrea joined Jones and they continued to chase down the total until Cambrea was out for 20 sweeping a straight one from Bradbury.

Harvey-Benger then lost Fraser Wray (12) and Eli Underdown (2) to Bradbury leaving Harvey-Benger 4-132 with 15 overs to spare.

Needing more than six runs an over, Jones was joined by Kyle Jones. The pair kept the total ticking over until Haydn Jones was bowled for 77 with Harvey-Benger needing 58 off 58 balls.

Thompson and Kyle Jones formed a partnership and the pair continued the keep the total moving until the latter was dismissed for 29 leg before wicket.

Matt Cooke and Thompson were able to get the total within reach with a number of boundaries and some hard running until Cooke was caught for 18.

Needing six off six balls and in the dark, Harvey-Benger was not able to manage the win, with Joryn Scarlett-Fucile run out trying to get back for the second run with Marist winning by four runs. Thompson ended up on 26 not out.

The side will face a in-form Donnybrook in Harvey on Saturday.

Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade men’s side had a better weekend, having a comprehensive 88-run victory at home against Colts on Saturday.

After unexpected rain overnight, Colts won the toss and elected to send the home side in. Tyler Bozanich (10) and Johnny Crognale (19) fought hard in the testing conditions, building a 35-run partnership but more importantly occupying time at the crease.

Returning youngster Brady Oxford fought hard in scoring 22 valuable runs, before captain Rowan Morrison (38) came in late and took advantage of some wayward bowling.

Morrison was cleaned bowled on the last ball of the innings as Harvey-Benger were all out for a very competitive 143.

The visiting batters could never really make inroads in their reply. Opening bowlers Morrison (2-18) and the ever consistent David Cooper (4-16 with three maidens) broke the back of the Colts line-up, ensuring they were never really a chance of victory.

In the end, young trio Bozanich (1-10), Oxford (1-3) and Julian Frederiksen (2-5) cleaned up the tail. Frederiksen had a good day in the field too, snagging three catches and not letting a ball past all day as Colts were bowled out for 55.

The big win sees Harvey-Benger move up to third on the ladder. This weekend, away from home, they will face cross-shire rivals Leschenault.