Harvey-Benger and Waroona cricket clubs will come together for Ben Ward Cup, celebrating legend of both clubs

The Harvey-Benger and Waroona cricket clubs will come together on Saturday to play in the annual Ben Ward Cup day — celebrating a servant of both clubs who died in 2015 from melanoma. This will be 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. On the field, the match is set to showcase some of the region’s best — Waroona with a point to prove in the commemorative T20 after Harvey-Benger claimed the last two matches. Waroona Cricket Club president Mark Butler said 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.” Harvey-Benger president Haydn Jones — who is set to play in the match — said the game brought together the southern-most club in the Peel league and the northern-most club in the BDCA. “It’s good to remember a person who was a great mate to have around and also a legend in the cricket circles,” he said. “You get to network a little more and play against different cricketers.” Mr Butler said the day would feature a bouncy castle for kids, and a veterans’ T12 before the main game, with the off-field highlight being Ben’s youngest son, Cody, shaving off his mullet for melanoma research. “The kids are always in attendance and it’s definitely special to all catch up,” Mr Butler said. “Life is busy these days and it’s good to have this one time of the year where we can all get together, and that’s for Harvey and Waroona. “To anyone that knew Ben, please come along.”