Waroona take out Ben Ward Cup against Harvey-Benger in celebration of club legend who died of melanoma in 2015

The annual Ben Ward memorial match between Waroona and Harvey-Benger Cricket Clubs was held in Waroona on Saturday — celebrating a servant of both clubs who died in 2015 from melanoma. This was the seventh match in honour of Ward, who played much of his career with Waroona before joining Harvey-Benger as a player-coach. A talented cricketer, Ward also played first grade for the Perth Cricket Club and represented the WA County XI. Waroona won the toss and elected to bat, with Harvey-Benger bowler Joryn Fucile taking two earlier wickets leaving the home side 2-35 off seven overs. A 103-run partnership between Zack Moody (45) and Matt Thomas (71) was able to help Waroona to 4-156 off their 20 overs. In reply, Harvey-Benger got off to a good start but lost three quick wickets. Brendan Ebert (56) and Zak Italiano (38) tried to keep Harvey-Benger in the game, but the team fell 20 runs short. After the match Teresa Ward thanked the spectators and everyone for playing the match in good spirits. Following the presentations, Ward’s youngest son Cody shaved his mullet and raised $3000 towards the Melanoma Institute. Waroona Cricket Club president Mark Butler said before the match the loss of his mate and a club legend hit everyone hard. “It’s a huge honour for us to be able to play for the Ben Ward Cup because he was such a special bloke,” he said. “It was just a really sad loss a few years ago, and we hold the Ward family in high regard.”