Harvey-Benger second grade team returns to top of ladder, while fourth grade side suffers first season loss

Harvey-Benger second grade got back on the winners list with a comprehensive five-wicket win on Saturday against Colts in Harvey. Stand-in captain Matt Chave lost the toss and Harvey found themselves in the field to start. Francois Roelofsz (2-29) opened the bowling and struck early, removing Tom Norsworthy for one. Colts rebuilt from the early loss to be in a strong position, only to then lose a clump of wickets and find themselves 4-84 at drinks. After the break, Colts were scoring easily and it took a good bowling partnership between Harley Italiano (5-18) and Matt Chave (2-18) to break the Colts’ batting line-up to see them bowled out for 141. In reply, Harvey got off to a steady start with a solid 39 from opener Haydn Jones. Harvey ambled to 4-74 before Kyle Hickman (37 off 27) and Matt Chave (28 off 47) shut the door on any chance of Colts getting a sniff of victory. English import Robert Turner came to the crease with one to win and hit a massive six to get Harvey-Benger home. The result reasserts the team at the top of the ladder after they went down to Eaton in their first loss of the season last weekend. The second grade team will play Hay Park in Bunbury on Saturday. Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade side suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday, with a four-wicket defeat against Colts. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Harvey-Benger appeared to be cruising at 1-63 when Nick Fucile (37) missed a full toss and was bowled. Wickets then fell at regular intervals as Harvey-Benger struggled to build momentum, with tight bowling and a slow outfield restricting scoring. This was further compounded by the loss of in-form batter Charlie Italiano, who was struck on the eyelid by a top-edged ball and forced off the field. Harvey-Benger limped through the innings, finishing all out for 117 in the 35th over, with Darren Bozanich (29) the other major contributor. In reply, Colts began swiftly with captain Simon Eastman (45) striking several boundaries. Harvey-Benger were able to stay in the game through tight bowling by Fucile (2-25), Nigel Hill (2-16) and the unlucky Jarod Maughan (1-14). Ultimately there were too few runs to protect though as Colts reached the total in the 37th over. Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade team will look to bounce back this weekend at home for the first time in a month, with a top of the table clash against Hay Park.