Having been bowled out for 95 on day one last weekend, the Bushrangers had it all to do on day two, with the home side resuming the chase at 1-27.
With little margin for error, the Bushrangers needed a quick start, which is exactly what they got, with Yarrawonga Mulwala’s Van Kreeck run out with just two runs added to the overnight total, reducing the home side to 2-29.
Unfortunately for Benalla, they wouldn’t see another wicket fall until the total had already been eclipsed, as Reid Clarke and Brock McCabe put on a 73-run partnership between them to hand first innings points to Yarrawonga Mulwala.
But it was tough going for the batsmen as Benalla’s bowlers piled on the pressure, with both Clarke and McCabe facing over 100 balls for the scores of 60 and 43, respectively.
The breakthrough finally came for the Bushrangers via Dale Stratton, who removed Clarke to have Yarrawonga Mulwala down 3-102, with the wickets falling regularly from there.
The Bushrangers’ perseverance shone through, with Stratton leading the way, claiming 5-43 as Yarrawonga Mulwala lost their final eight wickets for just 50 runs, a brilliant turnaround from the Benalla bowlers who looked to be headed for a much heavier defeat.
Conor Brodie finished with two wickets, while Charlie Bull and Brayden Stepien each chipped in with one, in what was a solid bowling display following the frustrating third-wicket partnership.
Sitting at 57 runs in arrears following the first innings, Benalla’s batsmen padded up to bat again, reaching 4-45 before stumps was called and the game was brought to a close.
The Bushrangers are on the road yet again next week, taking on top side Rovers United Bruck at WJ Findlay Oval in Wangaratta as they look to claim a second victory before season’s end.
The Game
Benalla 10-95 (B Stepien 24, J Priest 17, A Heslin 5-29) and 4-45 (C Bull 18, B Welsh 2-6) def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 10-152 (R Clarke 60, B McCabe 43, D Stratton 5-43)
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