Sport

Benalla Bushrangers at the races in round six

Dec 6, 2021

Ready to let rip: Bella Hazell steams in.

It was a mixture of three good wins and a close loss during the weekend for the Benalla Bushrangers.

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The Royal Hotel A-Grade Bushrangers went agonisingly close to their first victory for the season, falling four runs short of securing a must-needed maiden win, during their round six match played against Delatite at the Lords Reserve on Saturday.

The travelling side had the hosts in all sorts of trouble when debutant Liam Curtis captured the wicket of Lachy Scales LBW for 5, leaving the score at 8/61, it looked a low run chase was on the cards.

However, the tail continued to wag and Delatite rallied to finish all out for 119.

The run chase started positively enough, however, with consecutive top-order wickets lost, the Bushies found themselves under pressure at 4/27.

Some steadying batting was needed, and Gary Priest (13) and Ossie Ramage (19) led the way.

Young gun Charlie Bull was as impressive as ever and looked to be leading the visitors to victory before falling to an absolute screamer of a catch by Chris Anderson in slip, ending his flourishing knock on 22.

This resulted in another painfully close loss for the Bushies, with a win hopefully just around the corner.

The pick of the bowlers were Curtis with 3 for 9 from 6 overs in his first game, supported by Bull, 3/12 from 8 and Simon Briggs 2/22 from 8.

Great form: Harry Skelton goes through the motions.

A-Reserve

At the Benalla Gardens, the GMCU A-Reserve lost the toss to Delatite and was in the field early, but it did not take it long to get on top.

With some tight bowling and sharp fielding, they had the pressure on the mountain men for most of their innings.

Stewart McLeod (2/24 from 8) and Jonty Priest (2/18 off 2) were the leading wicket takers with Priest also involved in a run-out and Matty Priest taking the other wicket, leaving Delatite with a total of 6/123 from their allocated 36 overs.

Skipper Greg Hoysted and fellow opener Brendan Hernan set the tone early and the partnership was on 52 when Hernan (29) had his stumps rattled by Sam Thompson.

Hoysted was joined by youngster Lucas Hales, who was rotating the strike nicely until Hoysted holed out for 24, leaving the Bushies with 64 runs to chase.

Craig Williams teamed with Hales and the partnership was a mixture of patience and aggression, taking the team to within eight runs before Williams was dismissed for 21.

Hales steadied, however, was dismissed soon after, top scoring with 30 runs, leaving it to McLeod and Priest to bat out the overs and secure the win.

Putting a disappointing last two games behind them, the A-Res side finishing on 6/141 (36).

B-Grade

The Sportspower Benalla B-Grade travelled to Mansfield, where they also lost the toss and were sent into the field.

It didn’t take long before the youngsters from the High Country were on the back foot, some tight and aggressive bowling from opening duo Ian Costello (2/7 off 8) and young Jakob Decker (2/24 off 5) was taking its toll and the hosts were under enormous pressure at 5/54.

It didn’t get any easier with young “leggie” Blake Spokes taking an important wicket and the evergreen Brendan Duncombe still mesmerising batters taking 4/11 from 5 overs.

Bayleigh Dervish, playing his first senior game was enthusiastic in the field and led from the front taking two impressive catches in the outfield.

Delatite ended their innings at 9/90 (36).

The batting was solid early with Max Cullen and Wade Spokes setting the innings up nicely before the explosive Deakyn Kohler came to the crease and lit up the Mansfield Rec Reserve with a swashbuckling 45 in even time.

With support from Cooper Woods (19 not out) the Bushies reeled in the total and then pushed on to 8/119 off their 36 overs.

C-Grade

At Gapsted Rec Reserve the Rose City Mowers C-Grade took on a Gapsted side with a few familiar faces in their team.

Gapsted batting first with Sam Cullen and young upcoming bowler Cooper Binion opening up and taking a wicket apiece.

Tight bowling and fielding followed with the wickets being shared around with Mark Botten, Nick Jacobs, Sagar Chodvadia and stalwart Trevor Saker taking one wicket each, restricting the home side to 6/132 (36).

The run chase started with a bit of hit and miss with the Bushies falling to 4/35 before Mark Botten (63) and Alister Crook (28 retired) took to the Gapsted attack with confidence and poise, Botten smashing an incredible five sixes.

Andy Ham provided some valuable lower-order support with 18, the Bushies eventually bowled out for 153 in the 33rd over.

Under-16

The Under-16 Bushrangers travelled to Mansfield for week one of their two-day clash with Delatite at Little Lords Reserve.

The day started slowly with the Bushies batting first on a tricky early morning pitch, with runs at a premium.

Form opener Max Woods was unlucky, being adjudged LBW early in the second over for 3.

Lucas Hales batted with intent to score before being dismissed for 20, going for one too many.

Captain, Max Cullen, Seth Arnold, Cooper Woods, Bay Dervish and James Martin battled hard to score through the middle of the innings.

However, some tight bowling from the home side, coupled with some sluggish batting, saw the Bushies limp to 91, all out, from the 40 overs.

Blake Spokes showed some grit and resilience batting through most of the innings to finish on 20 not out.

Some tight bowling and fielding will be required by the visiting Bushies team if they are to secure their second win on the trot.

Under-14

The Under-14 Bushrangers won the toss at the Benalla Gardens and sent the visiting Rovers United Bruck Gold into bat first.

Some amazing bowling and fielding was on display by the home side, with two sharp run-outs completed by sharp combination, thanks to the efforts of Bryce Cooney, Kai Dervish, Lucas Ham and Sath Kancherla.

Jonty Priest (3/5 off 3 overs) and Ryder Levy (3/8 from 1.5) were superb with the ball, not giving their RUBCC opponents too many scoring opportunities. Bowling them out for 82.

The Rovers bowlers toiled hard, but the young Bushies had their tails up, and with support from Priest (14), Will Botten (13) Lucas Ham was superb throughout, finishing the day on 41 not out, and with the points already secured, he could be set for a big score next week.

Bushies currently sitting on 5/87, with 40 overs still to bat next Saturday morning.

Next weekend’s games will see The Royal Hotel A-Grade take on City Colts at the Gardens in a one-dayer, the GMCU A-Reserves facing Rutherglen United in Rutherglen. The Sportspower Benalla B-Grade play Ovens Valley United at Arundel Street Lakeside, Rose City Mowers C-Grade playing Merton at Arundel St Roadside. Under-12 Blue host RUB green at Arundel Lakeside and Under-12 Red travel to Beechworth.

With three senior teams playing at home, the Bushies will be holding its Family Christmas Gathering at the Arundel St Multi-Purpose Rooms from 7pm. You never know, Santa may even pay a visit. Check the club Facebook for details.

Under-12

Benalla Bushrangers Red scored a thrilling two-run victory over stablemates Bushrangers Blue in Saturday’s Under-12 match at the Arundel St Ovals.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Red bowled and fielded well to restrict Blue to 61 runs for their 20 overs.

Angus Hayes continued his good form with the bat scoring 12 runs retired, supported by Angus Leavold (8) and Harry Bowen (5).

Hugh Ross,Ted Clancy and Charlie Bowen all retired not out.

Will Martin was the leading bowler with two wickets, while Jack Hart (1-4), Xavier Defazio (1-2), Noah Cooney (1-6) each took a wicket.

In response, the Josh Montgomery (11 n/o), Riley McCarthy (12 n/o), Xavier Defazio (6 n/o) and Noah Cooney (7 n/o) led the run chase.

With one over the bowl, Red needed eight runs to win, John Montgomery and Cash Nolen steering their side to victory.

Harry Skelton was the sole wicket taker for Blue, who also recorded two run-outs.

The game demonstrated the depth of talent at the Benalla Bushrangers who this season recruited enough players to enter two sides in the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association.