Earlier in the day though, Benalla’s junior ranks got through their matches ahead of the skies opening up.
Here is how the morning unfolded.
● Benalla Bushrangers under-12 side continued its season undefeated, winning their round three match up against Wangaratta Magpies Black at Arundel St Reserve.
Wangaratta won the toss and sent Benalla into bat, with the young team wasting no time racing to 4/73 after 20 overs.
Benalla’s opening duo led from the front, with Lucas Ham (24 including four boundaries) and Mitch Cooney (15) setting up the solid score.
With the match set to be determined by their fielding efforts, Benalla worked together to keep the Magpies to 5/64 by the end of the innings and win the match.
Cooney executed an all-round game, capturing figures of 2-4 to add to his innings with the bat.
Oscar Ring (2-4) also starred, while Will Botten (1-4) made an impact.
Benalla Bushrangers’ Juniors’ strong form continues
● Benalla’s under-16 vice-captain George Lithgow’s efforts with the pine has set up a massive chase for Delatite after day one of a two-day clash at Benalla Gardens Oval.
Lithgow retired on 55 not out, lifting the Bushrangers to 6/166 after 42 overs.
Earlier, Benalla won the toss and elected to bat first, but looked in trouble after openers Jack Fullager and Matt Priest were dismissed, Benalla quickly falling to 2/4.
But it was Lithgow, along with Grayson Kirk (29), Charlie Bull (20) and Lucas Hale (18) who rebuilt the innings to post the competitive score.
Benalla will take to the field in day two of the contest, starting this Saturday at Benalla Gardens Oval from 9am.
● The Bushrangers under-14 team took to the crease on day one of their contest with Rovers United Bruck Cricket Club, held at North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve.
Sent into bat first, Benalla finished with 8/96 at stumps.
Jonty Priest showed his class with the bat, hitting 21 not out, while James Martin retired on 13 not out.
Play will resume this Saturday from 9am.
Competitive Benalla Bushrangers fall short of Yarrawonga
● In senior Bushrangers news, A-grade worked its way through its batting innings against Wangaratta Magpies before the match was abandoned.
Wangaratta won toss and sent Benalla into bat first, with the Bushrangers posting 7/116 from 40 overs.
Vaughan Kirk (30) and Senaka Lakmal (18) were the best of the batsmen.
A-grade will return to Benalla Gardens Oval this Saturday for their round five match against tough opponents, Beechwoth Wanderers, which have started their season, 3-1.
● A-reserve’s match against Wangaratta saw Benalla at the crease on 0/29 when the match was abandoned, while B-grade failed to get onto the grounds of the Benalla Showgrounds for their match with the Magpies.
C-grade was set to fight it out with Yarrawonga Mulwala at Arundel St Reserve, with Yarrawonga in the strong position of 3/165 after 18 overs before play was halted.