Harvey-Benger Cricket Club’s fourth grade finals campaign ends

The Harvey-Benger fourth grade team’s bid for a hat-trick of BDCA premierships is over after going down to Dalyellup in Saturday’s preliminary final. With regular captain Rowan Morrison out of action due to injury, Scott Fowler stepped up to lead the team. After losing the toss, Harvey-Benger found themselves in the field to start the game. Dalyellup got off to a blistering start as opener Rod Jones blasted several big sixes en route to a score of 77 off just 41 balls. The rapid scoring rate put Harvey-Benger on the back foot, but the change to spin brought a change in fortune as Jarod Maughan (1-26) and captain Fowler (3-37) made breakthroughs. With a strong platform built, the Dalyellup batters looked to attack again towards the back end of their innings. Young spinner Eli Underdown bore the brunt of the assault conceding 54 runs, but bravely continued to give the ball flight and was rewarded with four wickets. Dalyellup were eventually bowled out for 236 and a daunting run chase awaited Harvey-Benger. Needing to get off to a flying start, Harvey-Benger promoted big hitter Kyle Jones to the top of the order. Jones started well hitting 19 off 15 deliveries before being caught. Young opener Brady Oxford (36) and Fowler (24) then combined for a nearly 50-run partnership before Fowler was stumped attempting to lift the run rate. Harvey-Benger dug in either side of the drinks break, and then attempted to explode towards the end of their innings. The experienced Darren Bozanich (28) and Jarod Maughan (38) raised the nerves of Dalyellup as they scored freely. Ultimately, the required run rate was too much and as both fell so too did Harvey-Benger’s chances of victory. In a gallant performance, Harvey-Benger reached the end of their 40 overs at 9-201. Dalyellup will progress to play Donnybrook in the grand final this Saturday. It has been a great season for the team, playing several junior players in prominent roles every week. The growth throughout the season indicates that Harvey-Benger will come back stronger again next season with a hunger to get back into the finals.