Yarrawong Mulwala again toppled the Bushrangers’ A-grade line-up on Saturday afternoon as the second day of play at Gardens Oval got under way.
The visitors recorded a 213-run total in their first innings, dwarfing Benalla’s 106.
Benalla was unable to overcome the deficit with bat in hand for a second innings, falling five runs short of sending the visitors back in.
While the result was a hard one for the team to take, club spokesperson Trevor Saker said the team was determined to bounce back.
“They just outplayed us,” Saker said.
“We should have won four games.
“I think we’ve got Beechworth next week, so we’ll bounce back there.
“Jonty (Priest) got a couple of runs. It was a decent performance.
“Ross Cavill hung around for a bit, too.”
Adam Dodd and Ben McDonald returned to the crease to see out Yarrawonga’s first innings, starting with the lead at 70 runs.
Dodd continued to turn over the scoreboard, recording a half-century off 68 balls.
Ben McDonald was dismissed just before Dodd made the milestone, and Fraser Smart faced one ball before his side declared at 6/213.
Benalla was tasked with hitting 107 runs to send Yarrawonga back into bat.
A top-order collapse saw Benalla’s hopes dashed.
Ross Cavill dug in and tried to stop the wickets tumbling.
He hit 16 runs off 64 balls, but his cool-headed presence at the crease did not bring an end to the wickets falling at the other end.
Jonty Preist took on the role of steadying the ship when James Irvine caught Cavill off the bowling of Matt McCabe, but by then, it was too little too late.
Priest was 28 not out off 73 balls when the last wicket fell.
Benalla was five short of its target.
Yarrawonga Mulwala was too good.
Around the grounds, Yarrawonga Mulwala was also a step above in A-reserve.
Benalla set a total of 126 for the home side to chase at Stan Hargreaves Oval.
Yarrawonga looked shaky at times but got over the line, just.
The third-string Bushrangers recorded a comprehensive win over Merton Cricket Club at Merton Cricket Ground.
Bushrangers captain Stewart Mcleod was devastating with the ball, claiming a four-wicket haul.
Merton opener Ross MacKinnon was the only player from the home side to reach double-digits.
The Bushrangers quickly chased down the total and recorded a nine-wicket victory.
The Under 16s and Under 12s Red team both got across the line.
Josh Hart starred for the Under 16s with a score of 65 not out.
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