Harvey-Benger second and fourth-grade sides suffer big losses to Marist and Collie

Harvey-Benger’s second-grade side suffered a six-wicket loss to Marist on Saturday in Harvey.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat but that was as good as it got, being bowled out for just 77.

Former Harvey-Benger player Brandon Hughes-Phillpott (4-11) ran through the top order, dismissing Francois Roelofsz for seven, Haydn Jones without scoring and Matt Chave for one.

Anton Fimmano (11) and Kyle Jones (12) looked to be building a good partnership before both fell in quick succession.

Kurt Thompson (18) was the best of the batters and tried to work with the tail, but it was to no avail as the Marist bowlers continued to make breakthroughs, bowling out the hosts in the 31st over.

In reply, Matt Chave (2-20) tried to mount a comeback for the hosts, removing Samuel Roots (8) and Corey Fagan (2) to have Marist 2-23.

Jaxon Sims (30 not out) and Josh Bradbury (28) managed to eliminate any chance of a comeback with a composed partnership before Bradbury was run out with four runs required for victory.

Blain Mccavanaugh managed to claim another wicket, dismissing Luke Clarke lbw for two.

The ball was thrown around with Harvey-Benger utilising eight bowlers before Marist knocked off the total in the 18th over.

The side will host Burekup in Harvey on Saturday.

Harvey-Benger’s fourth-grade team suffered a reality check on Sunday, with an eight-wicket defeat against Collie at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on what looked a superb wicket, Harvey-Benger openers Fraser Wray (27) and captain Rowan Morrison (21) ground away against tight bowling in hot and humid conditions.

The fall of Morrison with the score on 50 as drinks approached proved consequential, with wickets then falling with regularity after this as only Tyler Bozanich (16) reached double figures.

When the dust settled, the home side were bundled out for just 95 in the 38th over.

Collie decided that the way to approach a small total was to hit out, and so they rode their luck during the chase.

Several airborne shots just cleared the field in the early stages, frustrating the fielding Harvey-Benger players.

As the batters got themselves in, the runs flowed even more freely.

David Cooper (1-20) was the pick of the bowlers, with Tyler Bozanich (1-17) also snaring a wicket on an excellent diving one-handed catch by Darren Bozanich.

Collie cruised to victory in the end however, reaching their target two wickets down in just the 19th over.

The side will look to regroup in their final regular season match, away against Eaton, in a game that could determine their finals hopes.