Harvey-Benger women’s first-grade side continues stand-out start to season with 112-run win over Burekup

Harvey-Benger’s women’s first-grade side produced a commanding performance at the Harvey Recreation Ground on Saturday, cruising to a 112-run win over the Burekup Queen Bees in their T20 clash.

Batting first, Harvey-Benger continued their excellent early-season form by piling on an impressive total of 4-179 from their 20 overs.

Brooke Vantwist led the way with a sparkling 50 from 32 deliveries, striking eight boundaries in a classy innings which ended in retirement after bringing up a half-century.

Fleur Parker added quick runs with 35 from only 17 balls, while Sarah Prickett (28 from 33 balls) was solid at the top.

Contributions from Sam Bozanich (18 from 20 balls), Trinity Brown (14 not out from 10 balls) and Taneeka De Ridder (12 not out from 12 balls) ensured a strong total.

Burekup hardly got going, being restricted to 8-67 amid a clinical showing from Harvey-Benger’s bowlers.

Vantwist led the way, starring with the ball by taking 3-11 from her four overs, while Laura Cheney (2-6 from four overs) and Bozanich (1-10 from three overs) were also outstanding as Brown (0-17 from four overs) and captain Megan Minton (0-16 from four overs) kept the pressure on with tight spells.

In the field, Prickett had a stand-out day, claiming three catches and a stumping, while Taneeka De Ridder contributed a sharp run out.

For Burekup, Stacie Davies battled hard with an unbeaten 10 not out from 45 balls.

Harvey-Benger’s second-grade side had mixed fortunes on Saturday in their two fixtures against Donnybrook in Harvey and Colts at the Bunbury Recreation Ground.

Batting first in their opening fixture for the day, Harvey-Benger losing regular wickets meant they only managed to post a total of 7-110 from their 20 overs against Donnybrook, with the promoted Kurt Thompson (26 from 22 balls) leading the way.

In reply, Donnybrook looked to be in control of the run chase with help from Harvey-Benger’s fielders, with several catches going down.

Experienced pair Francois Roelofsz (2-16 from four overs) and Matt Chave (2-17 from four overs) tried to turn the game in the home side’s favour but it was not to be, as Donnybrook chased down the total in the 19th over.

Harvey-Benger’s fortunes turned on the road in the afternoon game, managing to bowl Colts out for 89 courtesy of stand-out showings from Chave (3-15 from four overs), Roelofsz (3-21 from four overs), Thompson (2-18 from 3.1 overs) and Owen Lind (1-13 from four overs).

In the second innings, the visitors set about chasing the target quickly in pursuit of a bonus point, which they did courtesy of an explosive 45-run opening stand between Haydn Jones (33 from 35 balls) and Roelofsz (22 from 18 balls).

After a few quick wickets fell, Brayden Green (13 not out from 14 balls) and Chave (8 not out from four balls) saw Harvey-Benger home in the 15th over with five wickets in hand.

The club’s fourth-grade side remain undefeated this season and at the top of the ladder on the back of a comfortable 53-run victory against Colts at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

After having to abandon their morning match against Donnybrook due to rain, Harvey-Benger were keen to get into things in the afternoon fixture.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on a superb Harvey wicket, opener Mitch Smith continued his dominant start to the season by scoring 68 from just 39 deliveries, including a pair of massive sixes.

Not to be outdone, Smith’s opening partner Fraser Wray played the perfect supporting hand in accumulating 46 from 59 balls and helping the first-wicket partnership steam into triple figures before being ended at 127.

Some late hitting by Adrian Kirk (13 not out from 16 balls) lifted the home team to an imposing total of 3-168 from their 20 overs.

In the second innings, Colts tried to open up with firepower at the top of the order but Adam Jenner was up to the challenge with the new ball, bowling an exceptional spell of 3-11 from his four overs and clean bowling both of the visitors’ openers in the process.

Colts struggled to get going after losing the early wickets, as reliable veterans Blain McCavanagh (2-29 from four overs) and David Cooper (1-21 from three overs) made things difficult for the batting team.

Later in the innings, youngster Sam McDonald deservedly claimed his first senior wicket for the club by beating Colts’ Gregory Neill in flight to have him stumped, with the visitors finishing their innings at 7-115.