Benalla Bushrangers were overcome by a strong Wangaratta Magpies outfit at Benalla Gardens Oval at the weekend, with the two sides facing off in a one-day clash.
With day one of what was scheduled to be a two-day match washed out, the two sides instead played a 40-over contest on Saturday, with the visitors winning the toss and sending the Bushrangers in to bat.
Things looked to have started well for Benalla with skipper Brayden Stepien seemingly at his devastating best, playing shots to all parts of the ground, however his stay at the crease was cut short after an entertaining 19 off 20 balls.
New man in Ross Cavill joined James Carboon at the crease, and the pair dug in to set about building a score.
In the face of some tight bowling from the Magpies, the pair slowly kept the score ticking over, however Cavill would fall after a patient 13 off 50 balls, trapped LBW by Matthew Prestianni to leave the home side at 2-67.
Carboon would be next to fall, departing just one run shy of a half-century, with Lucas Ham (5) following shortly after, as Benalla stumbled to 4-97.
Jonty Priest provided a brilliant knock towards the end of the innings for the Bushrangers, finishing unbeaten on 39 after combining for a 53-run sixth-wicket partnership with A-grade debutant Josh Hart.
Priest’s contribution helped Benalla to a total of 6-164 from 40 overs, with Kieran Radcliffe (2-39) and Prestianni (2-40) the pick of the bowlers for the visitors.
With just 164 to defend, the Bushrangers would need a fast start with the ball, and that’s exactly what Mitchell Wheelens provided, removing Wangaratta opener Jack Davies for 10.
Stepien broke through to remove opposition skipper Cooper Matheson (27) just when it looked like the Magpies were getting going, with the visitors now two down for 49.
But Benalla would be unable to find a wicket for some time, as Jimmy Thewlis (72) and Oliver Andrew (40) piled on 71 runs for the third wicket, taking the game away from the home side.
It would be the youngster Hart, thrown the ball on his A-grade debut, that would find the breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Thewlis to claim his maiden A-grade wicket.
Sameera Witharana would claim two wickets in an over shortly thereafter to reduce the visitors to 5-139, but the damage was done, as Jarryd Wallace blitzed an unbeaten 34 off 21 deliveries to guide Wangaratta safely to 8-200 in reply, and with it the win.
Witharana’s 2-30 was the best of the Benalla bowlers, while Cooper Binion also claimed multiple wickets, finishing with figures of 2-34.
Benalla have just one match remaining before the Christmas break, hosting the ladder leading Rovers United Bruck Cricket Club at Gardens Oval next week as the search for the elusive first win continues.
The Game
Benalla 6-164 (J. Carboon 49, J. Priest 39 no, S. Witharana 2-30) def by Wangaratta 8-200 (J. Thewlis 72, O. Andrew 40, K. Radcliffe 2-39).