Digging deep into the Butcher Archives, we present another memorable moment by the late Gary Benstead.
It was a case of Port Kembla versus Gary Benstead --- and the Thirroul all-rounder scored a resounding victory in an amazing first grade cricket match at Gibson Park.
With team-mate Mal MacMillan in a minor supporting role in the bowling department, Benstead brought about the upset of the season.
Thirroul went into the game without a win all season and looked no match for the strong Port Kembla team.
Benstead scored 56 not out in Thirroul's total of 104 and then took 6-34 as Port was skittled for a mere 74.
It was a day of shock results. --
- Competition leader Wollongong could manage only 92 against Western Suburbs, which replied with 5-103 at Stuart Park.
- At Slacky Flat, Woonona, previously in third place, was all out for 44 against Warrawong and was soundly beaten.
One-day games usually bring their share of upsets, but the game at Gibson Park left the Port Kembla camp stunned.
Batting first, Thirroul scored 104 - Benstead notout 56, and the only player to reach double figures.
This total looked well within the reach of Port Kembla, but Benstead had other ideas.
He bowled nine maidens in his 19 overs, taking 6-34, while MacMillan captured the remaining four wickets for 28 off 17 overs.
Port Kembla's score of 74 brought back memories of the 86 it tallied against Wollongong a few weeks back - also in a one-day game.
Port Kembla's only double figure men were Bruce Weissel (15) and John Sweeney (29).
Benstead's unbeaten 56 in the Thirroul innings took him past the 400-mark for the season.
At Stuart Park, Peter Andonovski (27) and Lindsay Ruery (33) were the only Wollongong batsmen to show any form at all.
The remaining players had no answer to the bowling of Phil Marvell, who lived up to his name by taking 7-41 off 15 overs.
Ron Hales batted well to get 50 in West's reply of 5-103. Opener Noel Stone contributed 35.
Corrimal has shot to the top of the competition after beating Balgownie in an interesting game at Balgownie Oval.
Mark Fisher scored 67 in 68 minutes as Corrimal went towards its first innings score of 202.
Fisher hit three sixes and six fours, and Dennis Martin (32) also batted well for Corrimal.
Rod Hartas continued his consistent form, taking 6-57.
Balgownie started off brightly, getting 50 before losing its first wicket.
Opener Grahame Edwards opened the innings and was the eighth man dismissed when his score stood at 84.
A middle order slump cost Balgownie its winning chance, and it was all out for 168.
Hartas was 28 not out and Ted Coombes scored 19, including two towering sixes straight back over the bowler's head.
Mark Fisher finished with 4-60 while Phil Hamer, Col Gould and Paul McCann took two wickets apiece.
Dennis Boulton took 4-11 as Woonona collapsed for 44 at Slacky Flat, Chris Adams, Doug Barker and Tony Sinnott claiming two wickets each.
Warrawong batted and declared at 1.48 then went for an outright.
Ray Large scored 32 in Woonona's 4-84, and Warrawong had to be content with first innings points.
An innings of 71 by Dapto's Colin Pitt was the highlight of the game against Keira at Lakelands Oval.
He was well supported by Brian Brennan (42) and Ron Kenridge (35).
Dapto declared at 5-202.
Keira was all out for 152, with Bob Fox and Ray House capturing three wickets each.
Top scored for Keira was Phil Vidler, who hit four fours in his 40.
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