Harvey-Benger’s second grade suffers only second loss of the season as fourth grade continues winning streak

Harvey-Benger’s second grade team has suffered defeat for only the second time this season with a seven wicket loss against Colts at the Bunbury Recreation Ground.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Harvey-Benger set about their task on what looked to be a dry wicket that would break up later in the game. Openers Haydn Jones and Joseph Cambrea were dismissed early alongside captain Anton Fimmano to leave Harvey-Benger struggling at 3-57.

Hamish Minton made a classy 63 which helped resurrect the innings however with a couple of quick scalps, Harvey-Benger was reeling again at 7-152. Some great lower order batting from Harley Italiano (40 off 57) and Robert Turner (49 off 40) got the total up to 250.

Colts in reply never looked under pressure. Harvey was unable to create enough opportunities to push the opposition, with Colts reaching 3-251 in the 48th over. Robert Turner was the pick of the bowlers with 2-53.

The team will get a chance to respond to the defeat when they host Hay Park in Harvey next Saturday.

It was a different story for Harvey-Benger’s fourth grade side, as they won their seventh consecutive contest with a 60-run victory over Colts at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, captain and opening bat Johnny Crognale continued his specular form scoring 59 runs.

All the top order contributed for the home side with Adrian Kirk (29), Nigel Hill (28), Matt Oxford (26) and young Brady Oxford (23) in the runs.

It was a special day for the Oxford family with father and son sharing in a 44-run partnership as Harvey-Benger finished their 40 overs on 5-207.

In reply Colts started positively to reach 47 before Kye McCreery (2-40) struck with consecutive balls.

As has been the case all season, it was once again Crognale who was the destroyer. The club talisman finished with figures of 5-23 to secure consecutive five-wicket hauls.

In the end, Colts could only reach 147 all out in the 35th over as Harvey-Benger secured another bonus-point victory.

The fourth grade team round out the regular season this Saturday away against Hay Park and will look to carry winning momentum into the upcoming finals series.