Harvey-Benger defeated in second grade final as Year 8 team wins premiership

Harvey-Benger second grade unfortunately finished the season with a heart-breaking 21 run loss at the hands of Marist in Harvey on Saturday, but their Year 8 team were declared winners of the BDCA competition.

Marist won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be a fantastic batter’s wicket. Harvey-Benger started the better of the two sides with Nick Fucile and Francois Roelofsz striking critical blows early to leave Marist reeling at 3-8.

Fucile’s first and only spell for the innings set the tone for the home side with 3-22 from eight overs.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals with Roelofsz (3-15 off 10) and Matt Chave (3-27 off 10) sharing in the spoils.

Adam Spinelli’s 30 not out off 41 balls would prove to be crucial later in the match with Marist eventually being bowled out for 122.

In reply, Harvey-Benger lost openers Haydn Jones and Joseph Cambrea early to find themselves 2-11 in reply.

Hamish Minton and Anton Fimmano did their best to steady the ship however after the loss of Minton, the collapse began, and Harvey-Benger was 5-39.

Chave came to the crease and attempted to wipe some of the deficit away quickly to relieve the pressure however when he was dismissed for 20, Harvey was 7-80 and still needing 43 for victory with three wickets in hand.

Harley Italiano (21 off 53) did his upmost to hang around with the tail however he would ultimately be the final man dismissed to give Marist the ticket through to the grand final bowling out Harvey-Benger for 101.

In better news for the club, the Year 8 team capped off a wonderful undefeated season to win the premiership on Sunday against Colts in Harvey.

Colts won the toss, elected to bat, and posted a competitive total of 7-125 off their 30 overs. The chief destroyer for Harvey-Benger was Jesse Crognale with 3-12 off three overs.

In reply, Harvey-Benger started well with Crognale and Jed Hill retiring not out early to give the home side some firepower at the back of the innings.

Harvey-Benger looked the stronger of the two sides and was cruising towards victory before losing four quick wickets to leave plenty of nervous parents and players on the sidelines willing the team on.

Hill returned to the crease with Harvey-Benger requiring eight runs from the last over.

He hit a crucial boundary early in the over and he was superbly supported by Sol Huey at the other end who played his part by getting crucial singles and running well between the wickets.

With scores tied and one ball remaining, Hill was able to hit the vital single which delivered the team its second premiership in two years.

Harvey-Benger fourth grade are in action next Saturday in Harvey against Eaton Cricket Club in a rematch of last year’s grand final with Harvey-Benger seeking back-to-back premierships in front of what is expected to be a big home crowd.