Harvey-Leschenault rally to three class wins

Harvey-Leschenault defied expectation at last week’s Country Cricket Championships in Perth, claiming three wins against association strength sides.

The outfit, consisting of Harvey-Benger and Leschenault players, emerged as the tournament’s surprise packets after defeating Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Great Southern and Eastern Goldfields.

The team was without a number of unavailable key players – including Leschenault’s leading batsman Tom Buchanan – and were scrambling to field a side leading into the competition.

However, the stifled preparation was barely evident throughout Harvey-Leschenault’s five game campaign as the team competed with – and defeated – association compiled XIs.

Harvey-Leschenault outclassed Kalgoorlie-Boulder Cricket Association on day one, following a blistering 89 from Haydn Jones and James Letchford’s dynamic five-wicket haul.

Kurt D’Agostino ensured the team continued its good form on day two against Great Southern Cricket Association with a dominant half-century and five-wicket display.

On day three, Albany Cricket Cricket Association inflicted Harvey-Leschenault’s first defeat after the side was unable to reach its 272 run target.

Opener Vincent Poller top-scored with a gritty 39, before the Albany skittled Harvey-Leschenault for 166 in the 51st over.

Harvey-Leschenault speedster Cameron Sloan fired on day four, tearing through the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association batting order.

Sloan claimed career-best figures of 5-37, which included two tidy stumpings from keeper Nathan Douch, to restrict Upper Great Southern to 207 at the compulsory-close.

Despite Sloan’s heroics, Harvey-Leschenault crumbled and were dismissed for 89.

David Newman offered resistance and top-scored with an exuberant 29 from 22 deliveries, after coming out of retirement for his first first-grade match since 2011.

Harvey-Leschenault ended the competition with an unlikely victory against Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association on the final day.

Losing the toss and being sent into bat, Goldfields’ Josh Harper (5-55) and left-arm tearaway Alex Devitt (2-18) caused headaches for the Harvey-Leschenault batsmen – dismissing the line-up for 141.

Poller made a patient 61 and Newman belted a quick-fire 39.

With less than 150 to defend, Harvey-Leschenault skittled Eastern Goldfields for 128 to end the championships with a defiant victory.