Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade keep finals hopes alive with 79-run bonus-point win against Marist

Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade team has injected life back into their finals hopes with a crushing 79-run bonus-point win at home against Marist.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on a fine day, the Harvey-Benger top order started cautiously in the face of some tight bowling. Captain Rowan Morrison (43) and talisman Scott Fowler (19) combined well to fight through the initial overs, seeing the score to 1-70 at drinks.

The home side were unable to take advantage of this strong platform after the break however. A middle order collapse saw Harvey-Benger fall to 6-90 before the big hitting Rob Fitzgerald (32 from 30 balls) blasted the team to a defendable 133 all out.

Harvey-Benger then started their fielding innings exceptionally, clearly having learnt from the good areas that Marist bowled.

David Cooper (3-22) found the initial breakthroughs, having the ball on a string and taking advantage of the swing-friendly conditions. It was then Fitzgerald’s turn to strike, clean ripping middle stump for his first wicket en route to figures of 2-12.

The fielding unit was clearly up and about, taking every ball cleanly in both the air and on the ground.

When first-gamer Tom Robertson (3-16) took his first wicket for the club and then immediately took his second with the next ball, the team was in raptures. Sadly a hat-trick was not to be, but the youngster left a strong impression on all involved.

The Marist tail tried to wag, as James Wallam (16) struck some lusty blows. It was never going to be enough though, with Blain McCavanagh (1-2) bowling Wallam for the final wicket to see the visitors all out for 54 in the 22nd over.

The win leaves Harvey-Benger in fifth position on the ladder and only two points out of finals contention with two rounds remaining. The team has a bye this weekend before finishing the season at home against Hay Park on February 17.

Harvey-Benger’s second grade side was not so lucky in their game against Marist, suffering a four-wicket defeat.

Playing at Forrest Park East, the away side battered first with Haydn Jones and Hamish Minton making a 58-run partnership before the former was out for 21.

Mahdi Saleem faced only four balls before he was out for two, while following batters Matthew Chave (4 off 18) and Anton Fimmano (0 off 5) were unable to do much to add to the team’s total.

Marist started their innings with a 10-112 target, with the team losing its first wicket 38 runs in.

The home side then lost Samuel Roots, Jack Wilson and Lee Sorfleet all within 10 overs, but the team stabilised in the middle batting order and gained enough runs to easily defeat the visitors.

Harvey-Benger’s second grade team sits fifth on the ladder and will play Dalyellup at home on Saturday.