Youngster Charlie Beal took a hat-trick against Young on Saturday.

Harden’s ever-improving under-13s outfit caused the upset of the South West Slopes Cricket League (SWSCL) season when defeating the Young Reds by 32 runs in their Round Eight match at Tim Doolan Oval on Saturday morning.  

The Hornets entered the game without a win, but that didn’t deter the side, who brought their best game against the Reds.  

The home side won the toss and elected to bat, scoring a very good 8/154 in 30 overs.  

Zac Bourlet played a terrific knock at the top of the order on his way to a 42-ball half-century. 

Jack Allen added a critical 36 (from 29) further down the order, and Harden had a big total to defend.  

The Reds tried hard, with Aidan Mesa scoring 38 not out (from 33), while Caden Bannister scored 23 (from 40), but Harden’s bowling attack, led by Charlie Beal, was too good.  

Beal took a hat-trick on his way to figures of 3/3 from three overs, Ryan Sumich took 1/7 from three, and Chase Peterson finished with 1/16 from three.  

Katelyn McMillan also made the vital run-out of Bannister. 

Harden will now have their tails up heading into Round Nine of the competition, where they take on the Temora Colts at Temora Soccer Grounds on Saturday.  

 

High-flying Hornets go down to Boorowa 

Harden’s in-form under-11s played out a thrilling six-wicket loss to the top-of-the-table Boorowa Gold in their Round Eight SWSCL match at Murrumburrah High School on Saturday.  

Boorowa won the toss and sent Harden into bat, with the home side scoring 7/127 in 20 overs. 

Liam Beal and Alex Weston top-scored with 19 apiece, Theo Brady added 14, and Harry Edwards scored 12 as the Hornets set up a big score to defend. 

For Boorowa, Edward McGuiness caused all sorts of problems on his way to taking 5/3 from three overs.  

In reply, Gold reached 4/131 to take victory. 

Extras hurt Harden, with 74 filling that column, while the top scorer for Boorowa was Finn Corkhill, with 12. 

Harden’s wicket-takers were Fletcher Betts (1/12), Olive Cavanagh (1/15), Alex Weston (1/2), and William Hufton (1/13). 

The second-placed Harden outfit has the bye in Round Nine before hosting Boorowa Green in Round Ten at Murrumburrah High School. 

 

Swimmers take on Coota carnival  

Harden Swimming Club sent a team of five swimmers to Cootamundra on Sunday, with Jessie Abnett, Harry Smith, Noah Ward, Holly, and Zoe Glover all doing the town and club proud. 

Jessie competed in the open age and won the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:53.33 while finishing fifth in both the 50m butterfly and freestyle events.  

Harry took on the under-9s age group and won in the 50m butterfly (1:10.11) while finishing third in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and fourth in the 1000m freestyle.  

Noah also took on the under-19s, winning the 50m backstroke in 57.59 while finishing third in the 50m breaststroke, fourth in the 50m freestyle, and fifth in the 1000m freestyle.  

Holly scored a win in the 25m butterfly, registering 30.95, and she placed eighth in the 50m backstroke.  

Zoe also swam well, finishing fifth in the under-10s 25m freestyle and sixth in the 15m breaststroke.