With just 199 runs to defend against City Colts, Benalla put in a solid day in the field despite the sweltering conditions at Gardens Oval on Saturday, but ultimately fell short of victory.

Having recovered after a disastrous start on day one to set the visitors a target of 200 for victory, Benalla once again got off to a less than ideal start, as Colts opening pair Mitchell Giggins and Aaron Thrum were allowed to get their eye in.

The pair batted together for 27 overs, adding 94 runs to the scorecard before Bushies skipper Brayden Stepien stood up and trapped Thrum in front for 23.

New batsman Ben Feldtmann was not provided the same opportunity to establish himself, as Ross Cavill struck immediately to remove him for an eight-ball duck, and struck again shortly after to send Joshua Newton packing for one run.

In the blink of an eye, Benalla had reduced the Colts from cruising at 0-94 to 3-101 and was right back into the contest.

Colts captain Giggins remained a thorn in the side of the home team, however, as he continued to rush along at close to a run a ball, and raised his bat to celebrate a well-made century.

He would advance the score to 148 before being dismissed for 103, and with Josh Nanson (22) following soon after, Benalla was still a slim chance of pulling off a remarkable upset, with the Colts five wickets down and needing 40 runs for victory.

Tyler Nanson (21) and Alasdair Brett (0) would both fall before the required runs were reached; however, a solid display of middle-order hitting from Kent Braden saw the Colts across the line, with the number seven finishing on 41 not out as the Colts made the winning runs with three wickets in hand.

They batted on, eventually making it to 9-263 at the end of the 75 overs, taking the points to remain on top of the table at the end of round five.

For Benalla, Mitchell Wheelens finished with the best bowling figures, with 2-26 from his six overs, while Cooper Binion (2-31), Ross Cavill (2-32) and Conor Brodie (2-59) all claimed multiple wickets also, with Stepien (1-86) rounding out the wicket-takers.

The Bushrangers will be at home again for the next fortnight, hosting fourth-placed Wangaratta Magpies at Gardens Oval, with the Magpies entering the two-day clash having secured a close victory over Yarrawonga-Mulwala at the weekend.

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Sunday, 3rd December 2023

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