Welcoming Yarrawonga-Mulwala to the picturesque Benalla Gardens Oval, a first innings batting collapse was once again the catalyst for the loss, as the Bushrangers were dismissed for just 85 on day one.
The visitors then found themselves just 26 runs away from the win as the second day’s play began, and with number three Matt Casey at the forefront with an unbeaten 53, they quickly cruised to the first innings victory.
But that did not signify the end of proceedings, as Yarrawonga-Mulwala went about seizing the opportunity to go for an outright victory.
Upping the tempo with the bat, it ended up smashing its way to 6-110 before declaring to have another attempt at bowling out Benalla’s out of form batting unit.
Finding itself in a very similar position to a fortnight ago, when it suffered an outright defeat against Wangaratta, Benalla fronted up for the second innings determined to not have history repeat itself.
And that resolve shone through the top order, as the Bushies successfully managed to bat themselves out of trouble.
Opener James Carboon was the star of the show for the home team, showing great patience to nullify the Yarrawonga-Mulwala attack to finish with 43 off 119.
Carboon’s efforts, along with handy contributions from Jonty Priest (14) and Brendan Duncombe (12 not out), were pivotal to the batting performance, as the Bushrangers finished proceedings 5-109 after 57 overs of staunch defence.
The Bushies will be hoping to carry the momentum of that improved batting performance into their final match of the season, when they are set to face fourth-placed Ovens Valley United in a two-day match at Myrtleford’s McNamara Reserve.
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