Gallery | Benalla Bushrangers advance to B-grade grand final

By Marcus Beeck

Mar 19, 2024

Cherry red: Benalla’s Will Botten took two wickets. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Benalla Bushrangers’ B-grade side is into the grand final after defeating Yarrawonga-Mulwala in its semi-final clash.

Top-edge four: Benalla’s Kieran Linke hits a boundary. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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After being sent into bat the Bushrangers struck 8-136 from 36 overs before the bowlers got to work in the second innings; claiming all 10 of Yarrawonga’s wickets for just 81 runs to secure their spot in the grand final.

Bowling rockets: Benalla’s Matthew Priest. Photo by Brenden Paddock

The Bushrangers will now take on Milawa Cricket Club this Saturday at Norm Minns Oval in a fight for the B-grade crown.

No run! Benalla’s Brett Pollard blocks the ball. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Captain Stewart McLeod was arguably best-on-ground for the Bushrangers as he finished with figures of 3-6 from 3.3 overs. Opening pair Will Botten (2-18 from six overs) and Matthew Priest (2-25 from eight) were also influential with ball in hand.

Quick pull: Benalla’s Leigh Pollard. Photo by Brenden Paddock

The B-grade side will head into the final as favourites after a dominant season, winning 16 of its 18 matches.

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Top-edge four: Benalla’s Kieran Linke hits a boundary. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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Bowling rockets: Benalla’s Matthew Priest. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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No run! Benalla’s Brett Pollard blocks the ball. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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Quick pull: Benalla’s Leigh Pollard. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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Save your legs: Benalla’s Stewart McLeod smokes a cut-shot. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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Steamin’ in: Benalla’s Will Botten mid-bowl. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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Thwack! Benalla’s Craig Williams batting. Photo by Brenden Paddock

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Late-cut: Benalla’s Leigh Pollard hits one fine. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Benalla’s other finals-featuring side was the C-grade team, who lost its semi-final match to Greta Cricket Club by 53 runs.

The Bushrangers won the toss and, in a near replica of the B-grade game, restricted Greta to 136, before being bowled out for 83 in their innings.

Got him! Benalla’s Chris Lindsay takes a catch. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Bushies bowler Josh Heylbut did his best for the team, taking 3-31 from his seven overs, while batter Steven Pickering top-scored for Benalla with 19 runs from 46 balls.