A stunning batting collapse has denied Benalla what looked like an easy win in Wangaratta District Cricket Association A-grade action at the weekend.
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The Bushrangers resumed on 1-41 against Wangaratta at Benalla Gardens Oval on Saturday, chasing a victory target of 149.
But a stirring bowling display from the Magpies served to rip through the home side and dismiss it for just 102 in the 73rd over of proceedings.
Brendan Herman (24 from 151 deliveries) and skipper James Carboon (29 from 109) were resolute at the crease for the Bushrangers as they looked to grind their way to success, but once the latter fell with the scoreboard reading 55 it triggered a massive collapse.
The Bushrangers lost their last nine wickets for just 47 runs, with a stretch of wickets in the middle order costing 4-2 and remarkably 3-0 for the Magpie bowlers.
Zac Guilfoyle (4-28) and Tim Leslie (3-32) did the most damage with ball in hand before the Magpies strode back out to the crease to have some fun.
In 25 overs the visitors put on 6-138 as the likes of Jarryd Wallace (61 not out from 59) and Corey Southern (21 from 33) opened the shoulders until stumps were drawn.
With two matches remaining in the regular season the Bushrangers are eighth on the table, but still within striking distance of the teams in the top half of the ladder.
â—� Other results across the grades included Benalla going down to Wangaratta in the A-reserve competition, Rovers United in the B-grade and Yarrawonga-Mulwala in C-grade.
The Busharangers got up in the under-16 clash against the Magpies - with Jack Fullager the star retiring not out on 57 - but fell to Ovens Valley United (under-14s) and Rovers United (under-12s) in other fixtures.
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