Benalla Bushrangers’ under-16 preliminary finalists Showrik Das, Angus Leavold, Tom Osborne, Luke Boulton, Hugh Ross, Josh Montgomery, Noah Cooney, Angus Hayes (vice captain), Xavier De Fazio, Riley McCarthy (captain), Boden Hazell, Ryder Humphries and Harry Skelton.
Benalla’s under-16 side put up a strong fight in its Wangaratta and District Cricket Association Eugene Kneebone Shield preliminary final against City Colts at the weekend; however, it wasn’t to be for the Bushrangers, with their campaign coming to a close after suffering defeat.
Harry Skelton collects the ball in the field. Photos: Bryce Cooney.
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Having made it through to the finals in fourth spot, the Bushrangers were tasked with a trip to Wangaratta to take on the minor premiers in the two-day clash across Saturday and Sunday, and while challenging the Colts the entire way, they went down by 64 runs at HP Barr Reserve.
There was a small win early for Benalla, though, with the coin toss favouring the visitors, who chose to bowl first, with cousins Tom Osborne and Joshua Montgomery taking the new ball, both bowling a tight line and length.
Showrik Das punches one through the covers.
Montgomery (1-11) in particular looked dangerous, proving hard to get away before striking early to remove Colts opener Hugh Spring with the score on 15.
Harry Skelton and Noah Cooney were the first-change bowlers and continued to restrict the Colts’ batters, who found it difficult to pierce the field, and after 15 overs the Bushies had restricted the top side to 29 runs in what was an excellent start to the match.
The pressure eventually showed on the scoreboard, too, with a pair of run outs in the 22nd and 23rd overs reducing the Colts to 2-42 and then 3-44, with Benalla well and truly on top.
Ryder Humphries plays one square of the wicket.
Hugh Ross was brought into the attack after the drinks break and had an immediate impact on the game, snaring his first to leave the home side down 4-64, and while the Colts rallied, Cooney (1-15) ensured the wickets continued to fall at a regular rate, claiming the fifth wicket of the contest in the 35th over to leave the Colts at 5-95.
Xavier De Fazio faces up against the new ball.
A few big overs at the end saw the Colts score heavily, although Ross (3-12) was able to claim two wickets in the final over of the innings to curb the momentum, with Benalla restricting the home side to 7-136 from 40 overs.
With 137 set to win, Benalla started the run chase in perfect conditions, and it was positive signs early as openers Xavier De Fazio and Showrik Das survived the opening overs against the new ball.
But the Colts, as the Bushies had done, were able to dry up the runs, and put the pressure back on the batters.
Joshua Montgomery sends one down at pace.
With the Bushrangers unable to find the gaps in the field, the pressure continued to rise, resulting in wickets falling at regular intervals.
De Fazio top scored for the Bushies with a patient 34 runs from 76 balls. Skelton was the only other Bushrangers batter to make double figures, as they were bundled out for 72 in the 34th over.
It brings to a close a solid season from the Bushrangers, coached by Darren Skelton, with the finals berth a brilliant reward for effort after claiming four wins and a tie from eight completed matches.
