With nothing separating the two sides across the first three quarters, the Saints were sniffing a huge upset in the round 10 clash, however the experience of the Bombers won out, with Benalla going down 9.11 (65) to 12.10 (82) despite a brave effort.
But it didn’t come without a fight.
An even contest throughout, the game’s biggest lead up until three-quarter-time was nine points, as Benalla and Kyabram exchanged blows at the Showgrounds.
The Saints had trailed at each of the first two breaks, going into the huddle at quarter time a point behind, before conceding an extra goal in the second term to be seven points in arrears as the two sides entered the rooms for the long break.
To trail by just more than a kick against the 2025 premier at half time already represented a solid fightback for the young Saints, given the heavy defeats they have endured over the past fortnight, but what followed in the third term was testament to the resilience Benalla is building.
Rather than rolling over, the Saints struck first after half time, with Tom Riley kicking the opening major to level the scores, and while Kyabram responded with the next two to open up a game-high gap of 11 points, Benalla found a little extra themselves.
Patrick Warner and Tyler McGregor booted consecutive goals for the Saints to once again draw them level, and while Kyabram again edged ahead, Michael Mummery would add his third of the exhilarating clash just before the three-quarter time break to pull Benalla back to level pegging at 61 points apiece.
It set up a thrilling finale, but ultimately it was the experienced Kyabram that won out, restricting Benalla to a goalless final term, the Saints managing four behinds, while the Bombers launched a 21-point term of their own - the equal-highest it had scored across a quarter for the match - to record a 17-point win.
David Mennen showed his class as Benalla’s best in the win, closely followed by young gun Cooper Gracie and ruckman Mark Marriott, while Hamish Willett was also influential, and Owain Boyle earned a nod in the best on his senior debut for the club.
Mummery and Riley were the only multiple goal kickers for the Saints with three and two majors, respectively, while Brady Bartlett joined Marriott, McGregor and Warner in adding one each.
The win ensures Benalla sits a game apart of both its neighbouring ladder opposition with a 3-7 record in tenth, however have the chance to close the gap to Mooroopna ahead in ninth when they face off this weekend at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
