The search for an A-grade Wangaratta District Cricket Association win is set to continue into 2025 for Benalla, with the Bushrangers no match for ladder-leaders Rovers United Bruck Cricket Club at the weekend.
Playing at Benalla Gardens Oval, the home side won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat, and were celebrating a breakthrough in just the second over as Charlie Bull removed Charith Perera on one.
Rovers would steady through Ryan Collier (9) and Reid McNamara (28) to reach 1-43, however the rampaging Bull was able to not only bring an end to that partnership, but bring down the entire top-order in a devastating spell.
In the space of five balls, the Bushrangers seamer had both Collier and Reid McNamara caught, before dismissing opposition skipper Paddy McNamara (2) on the fifth ball of his following over, reducing the visitors to 4-46.
Ross Cavill (2-28) got in on the action for the home side, sending both Dean Shaw and Matthew Whitten back to the pavilion for 16 apiece to have Rovers six down for 91, however some powerful lower-order hitting from Jacob Schonafinger (33) and Lakpriya Shantha Gangabadawatta Arachchilage (31) saw the visitors head towards a respectable total.
Bull claimed another couple of wickets in the tail to finish with superb figures of 6-27, while Conor Brodie took a scalp to finish with 1-28, as the Rovers’ counter-punch late saw them post 9-168 from the 40 overs.
After a strong performance with the ball, a positive start was required with the bat, but the Bushrangers would find themselves staring down the barrel early.
Jonty Priest (2) and Sameera Witharana (4) had their stumps skittled in the opening overs as Benalla slumped to 2-8, as did Charlie Bull (2), while Lucas Ham was caught on nine to have four of the Bushrangers’ top five dismissed with just 46 runs on the board.
Ross Cavill provided a shining light at the top of the order however, displaying brilliant patience in trying circumstances, and moved the score along to 76 alongside skipper Gary Priest (12) before Priest fell at the hands of Cormac McNamara.
Josh Hart, in just his second A-grade match, fell a few balls later, while A-grade debutant Josh Heylbut (9) also became a victim of the Cormac McNamara onslaught, as the Bushrangers fell to 7-92.
Still, Cavill batted on, reaching 50 not-out at the end of the 40 overs as far and away Benalla’s top scorer, with the Bushrangers mustering a total of 8-109 by the end of their innings.
Cormac McNamara was the pick of the Rovers’ bowlers with 3-14, while Daniel Jones (2-24) was the only other multiple wicket-taker.
Benalla has the bye next week, meaning they won’t take to the field again until after the Christmas break, when they are set to take on Beechworth Wanderers on January 11.
The Game
Rovers Bruck United 9-168 (J Schonafinger 33, L S G Arachchilage 31, C McNamara 3-14) def Benalla 8-109 (R Cavill 50 no, C Bull 6-27)