One wicket in hand, 13 runs to make. Does cricket get more exciting than that?
Benalla was on the verge of completing an upset against the Magpies on Saturday afternoon in Wangaratta District Cricket League.
On the second day of play at Norm Minns Oval, the Bushrangers staged a hold-up, limiting the Magpies’ flow of runs to a trickle.
As the wickets fell, Benalla looked on the verge of victory, but a hard-fought partnership between Zac Guilfoyle and Thomas Clayton salvaged the Magpies the win.
Club spokesperson Trevor Saker said if the side had taken more of the chances that came its way, it could have been a different story.
“They dropped a few catches,” Saker said.
“They dropped one when they were nine down with two runs to win.
“I think Zac Guilfoyle got away from them.
“We’re still in the mix, (however). They (Wangaratta) were last year’s grand finalists, so we’re going a lot better, but it would have been nice to win the last two (games).
“Conor Brodie is going seriously well; his first spell was brilliant. Sunny (also) bowled really well.”
In the previous week’s play, Benalla had been bowled out for 188, and Wangaratta’s opening partnership had dug in.
But what a difference a week can make.
With Magpies opener Nic Bonwick unavailable, Wangaratta was essentially one wicket down before a ball had been bowled.
Things went from bad to worse for the Magpies as Ryan Malcolm, Jack Davies and David Killen were dissmissed cheaply.
Conor Brodie had torn through Davies and Killen, collecting both for a duck.
Wangaratta looked shaky at 3-22.
Cooper Mathieson battled to steady the ship, managing 22 runs off 60 balls before Priyank “Sunny” Chohan bowled him.
Fraser Ellis frustrated the Bushrangers, playing an impressive defensive innings.
Off 168 balls, he hit 60 runs, enough to swing the tide back in the Magpies’ favour.
Nicholas Pell and Charlie Stafford came and went before Ross Cavill finally dismissed Ellis, who Tyler Begnone caught.
With 14 runs to make and two wickets in hand, Wangaratta was in the driving seat until Cavill took his second wicket for the over, bowling over Matt Gathercole for a duck.
The game was well and truly alive.
Benalla laid siege upon Zac Guilfoyle and Thomas Clayton, but they dug in.
It took them 17 overs to grind out the 14 runs for victory, but the Magpies managed to swoop a victory away from the jaws of defeat, hitting 190 off 83 overs.
Brodie led the wicket-taking for Benalla with three to his name, along with eight maidens.
Sunny spun his way to two wickets and six maidens.
Benalla will look to bounce back at Gardens Oval against Yarrawonga on the first day of a two-day match on Saturday.
Around the grounds, Wangaratta had the better of the Bushrangers in the A-reserve, bowling Benalla out for 98 after putting 123 on the board.
The Bushrangers defeated Rovers United Bruck in the B-grade, chasing down the home side’s 188 runs convincingly.
The Benalla over-60s played out a thrilling tie at Capital Reserve against Glen Waverley Hawks.
Both sides had 218 runs on the board after 40 overs.
Saker played in the match and said it was an incredible contest to be a part of.
“We thought we got enough runs,” Saker said.
“We batted first and 217 off 40 over is a good score.
“Their number three batter came in and hit 40 off 20 balls and then had to retire, thank goodness.
“He’s going to represent South Africa in the Over-60s World Cup in February.
“It came to the last ball and they needed two to win and they scrambled a run.
“It was a great game.”