Harvey-Benger fourth grade close out season with grand final win over Eaton

Harvey-Benger fourth grade have closed out a remarkable end to the season after walking away with a grand final win over Eaton Cricket Club at the weekend. Sitting fifth going into the last round of the season, Harvey-Benger defeated the top four sides and ended up with a 20-run win over ECC. The match started with Eaton winning the toss and electing to bowl, and Harvey-Benger’s captain Rowan Morrison raced to 14 off nine balls before mistiming a pull shot to square leg. BDCA fourth grade cricketer of the year, Nick Fucile, scored 15 until he was caught behind due to Darcy Petersen’s (2-36) bowling, followed by Kyle Hickman who was bowled in strange circumstances, leaving Harvey-Benger 3-44 off nine. John Crognale (15) and Darren Bozanich (23) both got starts but their momentum was halted as a number of helicopters tried to land on the oval due to nearby fires. Nigel Hill (22) and Charlie Italiano (21) kept the runs flowing but were both dismissed as they tried to increase the run rate. A crucial ninth-wicket partnership between Dave Cooper and Brody Raper brought Harvey-Benger to a competitive eight for 152 and in reply, Adam Francis (1 for 27) bowled the dangerous Adam Fitt (8) while Fucile (1-24) kept the scoring rate low. Crognale continued the tight bowling, only going for seven runs off of eight overs, with Brody Raper taking a wicket moments before a break leaving Eaton four for 50. Straight after, a mix-up in running resulted in Eaton losing another wicket and Raper taking a further two wickets in six balls leaving the home team struggling at 7-57. Eaton regained some momentum but it was youngster Joryn Scarlett-Fucile (2-12) who made the breakthrough required With 20 needed off the last 10 balls, Raper bowled Mick Boucher (45) to win the match for Harvey-Benger. Harvey-Benger’s captain, Rowan Morrison thanked the Bunbury & District Cricket Association for getting the season completed in such difficult circumstances. He also congratulated his teammates who got to play while thanking the squad that got the team there.