The Saints got off to a slow start and despite individual performances from the like of James Martiniello and captain Christopher Welsh, the team failed to find its feet as it lost 24.20 (164) to 5.6 (36).
The injury-prone Benalla has had troubles listing a consistent string of starters week-in week-out with a number of reserves players making the step-up each week.
With Seymour and Echuca breathing down the back of Kyabram’s neck with all three teams sitting on 36 points on the ladder coming into this round, slipping up was not an option.
The Bombers took time finding their feet, kicking four behinds before they hit the ground running with their first goal.
Kyabram had drawn out a 24-point lead in the first quarter but it could have been more as kicking efficiency let it down.
It was clear from the outset Kyabram’s defence was going to be difficult for the Saints to break down and the side only got two chances at goal in the first period with neither capitalised on.
The game looked to open up in the second period as scoring opportunities regularly presented themselves to both sides.
The league leaders proved that they deserve to be on top as they were near-perfect in front of goal kicking 6.1 (37) for the quarter while Benalla failed to keep up scoring 3.2 (20).
Following the major break, the Bombers continued to capitalise on every chance they had and kicked 2.0 (12) for the third quarter.
Kyabram looked to shut down the scoring and held Benalla to a pointless period and the scores at the final break were 75 to 22.
It looked like this was going to be Kyabram’s game plan for the rest of the game — be solid in defence and on the ball to shut the Saints out of the game — but that was not the case.
Paul Newman’s side came out like it had a point to prove and blew Benalla away as it had chance after chance on goal.
While the Bombers kicked 13 goals for the quarter, they still might be ruing the chances to increase their percentage as they kicked 11 behinds.
The Saints were able to get points on the board this quarter but they proved to be consolations in a spell owned by the Bombers.
Kyle Mueller was the standout performer on the day as he kicked seven majors for Kyabram, putting him well inside the top 10 goal scorers in the league this season.
James Martiniello was a force as always in the middle for the visitors, finishing with 26 disposals and six clearances.
Benalla’s job does not get any easier next round as it takes on fourth-placed Euroa who is looking to put pressure on the breakaway top three but will be hoping a home crowd can provide it with the means for an upset.
Until then the Saints will be hoping a week off as the other half of the split round takes place will give them the time for injured players to recover and come back into the fold.
