Harvey-Benger’s second-grade team defeated in preliminary final as Year 8 team wins grand final

Harvey-Benger Cricket Club will be having mixed feelings about the weekend’s competition, after they had both a finals win and defeat.

It was the end of the road for the second grade team as their hopes for a preliminary final win did not go as planned.

In their match against Marist at Harvey Recreation Ground on Saturday, the team lost the coin toss and were send out to field first.

Francois Roelofsz, Nick Fucile and Matthew Chave did well for the home side, scoring three wickets each with their bowling work.

Marist finished their innings all out for 122, having played 40.3 overs.

Haydn Jones had a very modest five runs off 10 balls before being caught leg before wicket, while Joseph Cambrea was out for zero after facing only seven balls.

Hamish Minton did a fair bit better at the crease, posting 16 off 32, including the only six of the game.

Matthew Chave (20 off 23) and Harley Italiano (21 off 52) both posted good results for the side, but could not overcome the poor results of the rest of the team.

Marist bowlers Jack Wilson, Sam Roots and Joshua Bradbury each took three wickets, with the side finishing the game all out for 101.

Although the team finished better than where they placed last season, it was a disappointing result about being crowned the minor premiers just weeks earlier.

It was a much happier story with the Year 8 side, who on Sunday were crowned the BCDA champions for their division.

Facing Colts Black at the Harvey Recreation Ground, the away side won the toss and elected to bat first.

Jesse Crognale did a superb job with the bowling, scoring a total of three wickets.

His result helped keep the opposing side to 7/125 after 30 overs.

There were several good showings during the batting from Jed Hill (26 not out), Tiger Martin (22 retired not out) and Crognale (19 off 20 balls), though several players retired not out during the game.

In the end, the game came down to the wire, with the winning runs being hit off the final ball.

With 29.6 overs, the team came home with a close 6/126 win.

It is the side’s second premiership in two years, having being crowned champions in 2021/22.

The season is not fully over for the club yet, with the fourth-grade side to face Eaton at home on Saturday for the grand final.