Bushrangers swooped by Magpies in one-day clash

By Alexander Dabb

Dec 10, 2024

James Carboon and Ross Cavill run between the wickets during the Benalla innings. Photos: Karl Phillipson Photo by Karl Phillipson

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.

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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.

The Wangaratta Magpies proved too strong for Benalla at the weekend. Photo by Karl Phillipson

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.

James Carboon top-scored for Benalla, falling one run shy of a half-century. Photo by Karl Phillipson

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.

Skipper Brayden Stepien pulled out all the shots in his entertaining stay at the crease. Photo by Karl Phillipson

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.

It was tough going for Benalla, with the Magpies’ line and length presenting a real challenge. Photo by Karl Phillipson

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.

The Magpies’ bowlers restricted Benalla to 6-164 with the bat. Photo by Karl Phillipson

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.