Seniors
A Reserve
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Benalla’s A Reserve side returned to action in the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association competition at the weekend against Rovers United Bruck, taking to the turf at Benalla Showgrounds on Saturday for the first outing of 2026.
It wasn’t the winning start the Bushrangers would have dreamt of, however, with the home side falling to a 132-run defeat, bowled out inside 30 overs as they slumped to a fifth loss of the season in the 40-over format.
Having been sent into the field after losing the toss, Cooper Binion got Benalla off to a solid start with the ball, delivering a maiden in the opening over, however the Bushrangers struggled to find a breakthrough, leaking 30 runs from the subsequent seven overs without snaring a scalp.
It would finally come during the fifth over of Binion’s opening spell, the ninth of the match, though not from the hand of the bowler, as the Bushrangers capitalised on a Rovers mix up to claim a run out, ending the opening stand to have the scoreboard read 1-30 through nine.
Binion (1-43) would soon find his first wicket of the afternoon, however, as Rovers were dealt another blow at 2-46, yet managed to steady, frustrating the Benalla bowling attack for the next 13 overs, as they piled on 74 runs for the third wicket.
By the time Leigh Pollard (1-27) sent Ryan Parsons’ bails flying, the visitors had made their way to 3-120 and didn’t look like slowing down, with vice-captain Dean Shaw managing 66 at number four and combining for a handy 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket before he was dismissed, with the Rovers travelling comfortably at 4-160 with seven overs remaining in the innings.
It would prove to be a fruitful seven overs for the Rovers, too, adding 57 runs at a tick over eight per over, and while Benalla fought back with five wickets in that span, the visitors still posted an imposing total of 9-217, setting the Bushrangers a target of 218 for victory.
Having to contend with a huge total is one thing, but to do so after losing your skipper and his opening partner inside the first two overs is another, as Benalla was immediately put on the back foot at 2-5 only 12 balls into the chase.
After captain Gary Priest was sent packing for a golden duck in the first over, Nathan Delaney (9) was caught in the second, ensuring the opening duo were both in the sheds with only a handful of runs on the board.
Things went from bad to worse as both Pollard (9) and Riley McCarthy (6) were dismissed for single digits shortly after, with the Bushrangers falling to 3-22 and then 4-22, as the visitors began to establish dominance with the ball.
Matthew Priest (21) and Josh Heylbut (38) showed some resistance, combining for a 17-over stay at the crease and adding a gritty 51 runs in tandem, however one quick wicket became two, and the pair eventually fell within two overs of each other, with the Bushrangers quickly declining to 5-83 and then 6-88, needing a miracle to see things through to the end.
The end would come rather swiftly from there, however, as four wickets fell in the following three overs after Heylbut’s departure, as the home side crumbled to lose the final six wickets for eight runs, bowled out for 91 and suffering a huge triple-digit defeat.
The A Reserve side will be back in action next weekend against third-placed Delatite following the Australia Day long weekend, as they look to earn a third victory for the season on the road at Lords Reserve in Mansfield.
B Grade
Benalla’s B grade side proved no match for City Colts in its return to action in 2026, having its total chased down in just over 20 overs at HP Barr Reserve in Wangaratta on Saturday.
The Bushrangers were blown away with both bat and ball by the ladder leaders, going down by seven wickets after a dominant display by the home side, one which now leaves Benalla at 4-4 for the season and in the thick of a tight battle on the ladder, sitting eighth but only one win behind fourth.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, the Bushrangers found themselves in early trouble as the Colts piled on the early pressure, ensuring runs came at a premium and striking when the opportunity arose, leaving Benalla two wickets down with only 15 runs on the board after nine overs.
Trevor Saker and Thomas Snell found themselves together at the crease and set about resurrecting the innings for the Bushrangers, adding 40 in partnership before Snell fell for 20, leaving Benalla at 3-55 and kickstarting a collapse.
New batter Angus Hayes fell cheaply, adding one run as the Bushrangers slumped to 4-57, before Saker, the only other batter apart from Snell to surpass 10 runs, was dismissed for 24 without advancing the score, as Benalla sunk further to 5-57.
Oliver Smith and Tyson Williams were valiant in the lower order, adding five and two, respectively, after each facing 29 deliveries in a show of defiance, however, there would be no further scores of note, as the Bushrangers were bundled out for 101, setting the hosts a target of 102 for the win.
Early wickets were the hope for Benalla, although they didn’t eventuate, with the Colts flying to 0-63 in 11.2 overs, however the complexion of the contest soon changed dramatically.
A double-wicket over from a Bushrangers fill-in bowler (2-20), combined with a Jake Holmes (1-22) scalp with the first ball of the next over, saw the Colts tumble to 3-63 in the blink of an eye, and suddenly the result didn’t look so straightforward.
Ultimately the sniff of victory proved too faint, as the Colts would safely navigate their way to 3-104, sealing the win with a boundary and condemning Benalla to a fourth loss of the season, although the Bushrangers are still well and truly in the hunt for finals at 4-4, only a win off fourth spot.
The B grade Bushies will regroup with the league-wide bye this weekend, before taking on Beechworth at Stanley Recreation Reserve on January 31.
C Grade
Benalla remains in touch with the leading pack in the C grade competition following a thrilling win over Gapsted at Arundel Street Oval on Saturday afternoon, clinching victory by a single run.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Bushrangers were regularly pinned down by the visiting Gorillas, however a gritty 39 off 92 deliveries to opener Grayson Kirk, as well as a handy 23 from Tom Trewin at number four and an invaluable 16 from Jatin Solanki down the order, ensured Benalla posted a competitive 9-127 from the allotted 30 overs.
A brilliant start with the ball to Greg Hoysted put the Bushrangers in prime position to defend their total, with four of Gapsted’s top five departing for a combined two runs, however, the early efforts were almost derailed with a key partnership in the middle of the innings.
Gapsted opener Sasha Vasic (31 off 98) and number six Shane Wheeler (58) threatened to pry the game away from Benalla, frustrating the attack and peeling off the runs, however Hoysted (4-21) and Trevor Byers (1-24) eventually took care of the pair, while Hugh Ross (1-4) claimed a lower order scalp and was involved in another run out, as was Grayson Kirk, as the Bushrangers sealed victory on the final ball of the innings by restricting the visitors to 9-126, earning a one-run win.
The win ensures Benalla remains fourth on the ladder, level on wins with third-placed Yarrawonga-Mulwala and only three points behind Greta in second, while Moyhu is well clear by a further 12 points on top.
The Bushrangers will host sixth-placed Rutherglen United at Benalla Showgrounds following the bye next weekend, returning to action on January 31.
Juniors
Under 16s
Benalla’s return to action in the Eugene Kneebone Shield has ended in a first defeat of the campaign, with the Bushrangers going down to City Colts at Benalla Gardens Oval on Saturday.
Taking to the field for a T20 in the top-of-the-table clash, the Bushrangers performed well with the ball but stumbled with the bat, falling to a 12-run defeat and dropping points for the first time this season.
Asked to bowl after losing the toss, Benalla made an electric start to the contest, with Tom Osborne (1-6) and Angus Hayes (3-5) each claiming wickets in their opening overs, with Hayes procuring a second in his second set of six too, as the Colts were reduced to 3-4 inside four overs.
The Colts would fight back strongly with a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket, though, and it would take Boden Hazell (2-18) to find the breakthrough, finally claiming a fourth scalp to leave the visitors at 4-58.
Hazell, Ryder Humphries (1-4) and Hayes would all celebrate another wicket to bring the undermanned Colts’ innings to an end at 7-82, seemingly in a strong position needing only 83 runs for victory.
It took no time at all for that position to be eroded, as the Colts tore through the Benalla top order at a ridiculous pace.
After seven overs, the Bushrangers sat at a shellshocked 7-24, with the top seven batters combining for five runs off the bat and five ducks, as the visitors bounded towards victory.
It soon became 8-31, and while Osborne (23) and Showrik Das (12) combined for a 30-run partnership for the ninth wicket, edging towards a miraculous comeback, it proved futile.
Osborne was dismissed to leave Benalla nine down with 61 runs on the board, needing a further 22 off the final three overs with one wicket in hand, however Das and Hazell managed only nine, with Das bowled on the final ball of the innings to leave the home side all out for 70, further cementing the loss.
The Bushrangers now sit third at 4-1, level on wins with both Wangaratta Magpies and the Colts above in second and first, respectively, however find themselves lower down the pecking order due to bonus points.
Two-day cricket returns following the long weekend bye, with the Bushrangers set to take on Yarrawonga Mulwala from January 31.
Under 14 Red
Benalla’s under-14 Red side has secured a big win in its return to action in the Len Hill Shield, dominating City Colts at Arundel Street Oval on Saturday.
It was a T20 bloodbath for the Bushrangers, who claimed a mammoth 51-run victory at home, ensuring they remain in fourth with two rounds to play.
The Bushrangers were sent in to bat after losing the toss, and despite some early pain following the loss of three of the top four for three runs or less, soon settled into the rhythm and began to put runs on the board.
Vice-captain Noah Anderson led the way, retiring not out with a brilliant 32 at the top of the order, while an unbeaten 20 from Bentley Parker, as well as 20 from Louis Horne, helped the Bushrangers to a total of 5-117 from their 20 overs.
With ball in hand it was a supreme all-round effort from the Bushrangers, who bowled a tight line and length to prohibit scoring and restrict the Colts to 5-66 in reply, securing the mammoth victory.
Horne was the only multiple wicket taker, snaring 2-7 from three overs, while Finlay Parker (1-2), Tyson Williams (1-6) and Oliver Parker (1-8) all claimed a wicket each in the big win, which ensures the under-14 Red side keep hold of fourth spot ahead of their Blue clubmates for another week.
The under-14 Red side will return to action following the long weekend bye against Wangaratta Magpies on the road, travelling to Wareena Park for day one on January 31.
Under 14 Blue
Benalla’s under-14 Blue side joined their Red clubmates in earning a big victory in their return to cricket following the festive break, comfortably accounting for Rovers United Bruck at North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
In a dominant display, the Bushrangers chased down the total set for victory with eight wickets in hand, before batting on and compiling a huge sum, as they continue to hunt a spot inside the top four.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Bushrangers were immediately among the wickets, with Lachlan Osborne (2-10) dismissing both of the openers, while Cash Nolen (2-6), Oliver Smith (1-8), Caleb Hein (1-10) and Jack Davies (1-7) made a mess of the lower and middle order, as Benalla brought the Rovers innings to an end at 9-52.
The chase proved relatively straightforward for Benalla, as despite the loss of two early wickets, scores of 32 to Thomas Snell and 30 to Nolen, both retired not out, saw the visitors safely past the 53 needed for victory, securing an eight-wicket win, before runs to Smith (15 retired not out) down the order helped Benalla build a mammoth 3-134 from the full 20 overs.
The win keeps the under-14 Blue side breathing down the neck of their Red clubmates, just 0.11 points behind in fifth, which they will hope to close down when they take on Ovens Valley United at Benalla Showgrounds in a two-day clash following the long weekend.
Under 12s
It was Benalla Blue versus Benalla Green to kick the under-12s back into action on Friday night at Arundel Street Oval, with the Green side edging out their clubmates to claim a six-wicket win.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Benalla Blue posted a big total of 4-93 off the back of an unbeaten 36 to Edward Clancy, well-supported by Jaxson Heaqtherill, who retired not out on 16, while Tom Lambert was the pick of the bowlers for Benalla Green, snaring 1-4, while Archer Pickering, Sully Holmes and Mitchell Murray all claimed a wicket each too.
In reply, Benalla Green plundered 4-107 to claim the victory, with Bill Bourke’s 35 retired not out the highest score, well supported by 21 each from Pickering and Lambert (retired not out), while Parker Borg (1-9) was the pick of Benalla Blue’s bowlers with the other three dismissals being run outs.
Benalla White took on Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls at Arundel Street Oval on Saturday, going down by a run in a close contest.
Darcy Ross (2-6) was the pick of the bowlers, helping restrict the visitors to 6-69, while in reply Dustin Nolan made 22 to retire not out as Benalla’s highest scorer, helping the Bushrangers to 2-68 from 20 overs.