Benalla Bushrangers has been set an imposing target of 214 by Ovens Valley United in a two-day match in the A-grade Wangaratta District Cricket Association on Saturday.
Having won the toss and electing to bowl, the Bushrangers would have hoped to restrict United to a more measly total after they dismissed three of the opposition’s top four batters for 12 runs or less.
But a United resurgence was led by middle-order batters Conner Forde (51 from 78 balls, including seven fours and one six) and Nicholas Bleeser (48 from 92 balls, including five fours and one six) who fell just short of a half-century.
The Bushrangers’ opening bowler Conor Brodie led the attack taking 3-61 from his 16 overs, while star all-rounder Priyank ‘Sunny’ Chohan also impressed taking 3-40 from 16 overs.
Club spokesperson for Benalla, Trevor Saker, says that the Bushrangers bowled well for most of the innings, but it was a period after tea that cost them dearly.
“We started well, we had them in a good spot,” he said.
“Then, in the first hour after tea ,I think they made roughly 70 runs in 10 overs. They got stuck into us with the bat.“
Despite the tall order facing the Bushrangers this Saturday, Saker believes that careful and considered batting will help give the side a chance.
“If we bat 75 overs we are in the game simple,” he said.
“Sunny’ Chohan is the key. We have to bat around him.”
With four matches left in the year, Benalla’s finals hopes hang by a thread as they need to win all of their remaining matches and have some results swing their way if they are to catch fourth-placed Beechworth.
This situation is different from what the club pictured at the start of the 2023-24 season explained Baker.
“I think we won our first 2-3 games. We had high hopes at the start of the year,” he said.
The Bushrangers face a tough run to the finish as they play Delatite, the third-placed City Colts and the second-placed Rovers United Bruck across their final three matches.