Bennell shines with bat and ball in Two Blues’ latest win

Great Boulder assumed second place in the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association’s A-grade standings after captain Bevan Bennell’s strong all-round performance led a three-wicket triumph against Lake View on Saturday.

A week after lowering their colours to Hannans, the Two Blues routed Lake View for 104 in 35 overs on the back of Bennell’s 3-24.

It was a display complemented by Prash Nagaraja and Daniel Colling, each with 2-14 that set-up a third win.

After a positive start to the season, Lake View head into this Saturday’s round hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat after Saxon Epis-Brown’s 24 emerged as the top score.

Epis-Brown, whose contribution was made from No.7, faced 41 deliveries and blasted a six after Lake View slumped to 6-63.

Former player-coach Matt Carter was on song early, with his 15 runs off 13 balls before his aggressive tactics saw him hole-out to Alex Jerrard.

Ashley Malec adopted patient batting tactics in an effort to solidify the innings with his 10 scored off 42 deliveries.

But when he became the fifth man out, the Viewers quickly crashed to 8-100.

It might have been a straight-forward run chase, but Alex Jerrard (2) faced just nine deliveries and the side was reeling at 6-47 before once again turning to Bennell to help steady the ship.

The right-hander responded with an unbeaten 45 off 51 balls that guided Great Boulder to 7-108 in 31.5 overs.

Bennell, who this season is averaging 102, struck four boundaries and two sixes, with Jace Reilly’s 18 the next-best score as Corey Johnston grabbed 4-22.

In five matches this season, Bennell has been dismissed just twice and boasts an unbeaten 102 against North Kalgoorlie in round five.

He is ranked forth among EGCA batters with 204 runs.