Harvey-Benger second grade men’s side wins thriller against Donnybrook as club’s teams have undefeated weekend

Harvey-Benger’s senior teams had a great weekend at the crease, with all three sides going undefeated.

The second grade men’s team won in a thriller on Saturday against Donnybrook, nudging out a victory by only two runs.

After captain Matt Chave won the toss and elected to bat, opening pair Francois Roelofsz (19) and Haydn Jones (101) got the home side off to a good start by taking the shine off the new ball.

The pair put on 60 before the Roelofsz’s wicket was taken, with Chave (13), Scott Fowler (3) and Anton Fimmano (10) all falling for low scores.

More wickets continued, leaving the hosts 6-120. Kurt Thompson (13) and Matt Cooke (5 not out) managed to support Jones through to his hundred in a well compiled innings, with the hosts finishing on 9-194 after 50 overs.

Kurt Thompson (1-17) dismissed the dangerous Mark Manea as Harvey-Benger began their bowling innings, with Joryn Scarlett-Fucile (1-25) able to remove the other opener getting a ball to rise and a good catch by keeper Kyle Jones.

Donnybrook was looking strong in the lead up to drinks before Roelofsz (1-33) and Fowler (2-41) both managed to take wickets.

Fowler took a catch off his own bowling to remove Jeremy Della-Sale, before Chave (2-37) took two quick wickets and Fowler picked up his second.

Sam Towers (31) supported Peter Worsfold (63) towards the target before Julian Frederiksen stepped up on debut to help Harvey-Benger steal the game.

He ran out Worsfold before bowling the final four overs from one end alongside Scarlett-Fucile from the other end. Both youngsters bowled tightly under pressure.

Needing six runs off the final over with one wicket in hand, Frederiksen rose to the occasion and took the final wicket off the final ball.

An unbeaten century by Darren Bozanich guided the fourth grade men’s team to a comfortable 90-run victory away against Leschenault on Saturday.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Harvey-Benger began cautiously as the home side bowled some tight lines and difficult lengths early.

Tyler Bozanich (14) was joined by his father Darren Bozanich as the pair absorbed pressure. The loss of two quick wickets before drinks shook the visitors though, and saw the team teetering at 3-50 halfway through their innings.

Darren Bozanich took grasp of the game following the break, making the most of some loose bowling and ramping up the scoring rate.

Although the runs were flowing, so were the wickets. Blain McCavanagh (21) proved the saviour, with the ninth-placed batter running hard between the wickets and belting four boundaries before having to retire hurt.

It was Darren Bozanich’s day though, and as the dust settled on the innings the veteran walked off to the rapturous applause of his teammates on 113 not out, leaving Leschenault chasing 193.

The home side could never really make inroads to the imposing total, with firebrand fast bowler Kael Lottering (3-14) proving too quick to handle playing in his first game for the team.

He was ably supported by Jarod Maughan (3-15) with the club stalwart bowling through injury and tying down the home side with his guile and variation.

Leschenault could only limp to 9-103 from their 40 overs, with the impressive victory seeing Harvey Benger solidify third spot on the ladder.

The second grade women’s side continued their good form with two wins on Sunday against both Burekup and Dalyellup at Forrest Park.

Batting first in game one, Harvey-Benger started strongly with a 118-run partnership between Fleur Parker (63) and Taneeka de Ridder (19 not out).

Amy Capogreco (30) came in and hit the ball to all parts supported by Danae Stalteri (3) and Renae Adams (6 not out) leading to a total of 3-166 off their 20 overs.

Burekup never got close to the score in reply, with captain Megan Minton rotating the bowlers regularly. Laura Cheney (2-13), Trinity Brown (1-12) and Minton (1-5) were the pick of the bowlers. Burekup finished the game 5-71 to give Harvey-Benger a 95-run win.

Dalyellup won the toss and elected to bat in game two, but Harvey-Benger continued their good form to keep their opponents to a small total.

Laura Cheney (1-12) and Brooke Vantwist (1-8) did the damage with the ball, leaving Dalyellup 4-83 off their 20 overs.

Harvey-Benger in reply always looked in control, chasing down the total in the 14th over after losing three wickets.

Parker was again the best of the batters with 36, with de Ridder (10), Sam Bozanich (5), Amy Capogreco (8) and Brooke Vantwist (8 not out) providing support.

Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade men’s and second grade women’s teams will face Eaton this weekend, while the second grade men’s team will head to Dalyellup.