Harvey-Benger has close results in men’s grades as women’s side continues undefeated season start

Tension was high as Harvey-Benger’s men’s games against Dalyellup went down to the wire at the weekend. The second grade side batted first against the visitors, with 300-gamer Haydn Jones opening alongside Francois Roelofsz. The pair had a tough start with Dalyellup starting well. Roelofsz was removed by Cooper Jones with a fine edge carrying through to the Dalyellup keeper Grantly Deer, before Jones was removed in the next over, caught at square leg for a duck to leave the hosts reeling at 2-10. It was up to Matt Chave and Scott Fowler to resurrect the innings, with both slowly chipping away at a 183-run partnership to help the hosts post a strong total of 3-215 from their 45 overs. Dalyellup made a strong start in reply, manipulating the field and putting the pressure back on the hosts. Shane Trebley removed Kyle Jarvis early to leave Dalyellup at 1-17. From there, Dalyellup set about the run chase strongly with Jacob Ryan and Riley Mammone putting on 103 together. Harry Burns and Grantly Deer tried their upmost to get Dalyellup home but fell six runs short in an admirable run chase. Kurt Thompson was the pick of the bowlers with 2-55 from his nine overs. Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade side found themselves fielding after losing the toss and were immediately under pressure as Dalyellup captain Rod Jones (37 off 17 balls) struck several early boundaries. Youngster Tom Robertson made the breakthrough against Jones, but Dalyellup continued to build momentum until the experienced Johnny Crognale turned the tide taking 5-13. Dalyellup held on to complete their 40 overs on 9-168. Harvey-Benger’s batters began cautiously in reply, with the aim to preserve wickets and build a platform to launch from. Opener Rowan Morrison (31) and first drop Johnny Crognale (54) were seemingly cruising, putting on 82 runs before Crognale was caught out. A mini-collapse ensued before Eli Underdown (23) and Nicholas Blunt (21 not out) steadied the ship. The pair got the required runs down to just 14 before Underdown was bowled. The team’s lower order just couldn’t find the gaps or boundary in the last overs as their innings finished on 9-165 after 40 overs, four runs short of victory. The Harvey-Benger women’s team also faced Dalyellup, who were the 2023-24 premiers. The home side elected to bowl first, with the visitor’s openers Fleur Parker and Taneeka De Ridder starting the innings with caution until the latter was caught for eight in the sixth over. Parker was joined by Sam Bozanich and the pair upped the run rate, with Parker hitting multiple boundaries until she was bowled for 48 off 37 balls. Bozanich was the anchor in the middle order with a partnership with Brooke Vantwist (20 off 12) and Trinity Brown (20 off 30) until she was eventually dismissed for 40, as Harvey-Benger posted 7-185 off 30 overs. Harvey-Benger opening bowlers Laura Cheney (2-12 off six overs) and Trinity Brown (3-13 off six overs) dominated Dalyellup’s batters with only Tasmyn Verhaaf (31) and Hannah Boyle (18) making scores above 10 as Dalyellup scored 7-110 of 30 overs.