Hosting Benalla on the picturesque Vic Park, Yarrawonga decided to bowl first.
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Benalla started well until the dangerous Sharma went for a big hit, superbly caught by TJ docking off the bowling of John Taylor, 1 for 17.
Mr consistent Andrew Dishot soon claimed his 1st with Justin O’Brien holding on to the edge 2/30.
Fraser Smart pleaded for a bowl arguing that he thinks he can win every award at the end of the season was rewarded with a regulation catch to gully, 3/44.
Ollie Connell was introduced to try and stem the flow of runs and a nice slower ball saw him take return catch, 4/83.
TJ Docking was keeping the ball full claiming 3 for 22 off his 8 whilst Dishot picked up his second closing out the innings at 8/159.
After some afternoon smoko, Fraser Smart looked in touch hitting the first ball to the fence, two more boundaries followed before he feathered one to the keeper.
Sam ‘Jonty Rhodes’ Lidgerwood got to work and a few shorter deliveries in the 9th over saw him hit 4 fours to get him off to a flyer.
Hill was as plump as they come, 2/47.
This brought Luke Buerckner to the crease and the pair batted superbly for a 60-run partnership looking to be getting the job done with ease before Lidgerwood 56, Buerkener 29 and Taylor were out in quick succession 5/116.
Nehal “Neil” Tahir and Dishot kept busy before Neil had to depart at 6/136.
Dishot batted like his idol Ian “the freak” Harvey guiding the team over the line with 31* off 37, well supported by Ollie Cope 20*.
Probably not the most convincing of wins but a win none the less, with one more round to go until finals start.
C Grade’s emphatic victory
Greta White 7/100 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 3/102.
Yarrawonga Mulwala C Grade had an emphatic seven wicket win over Greta last Saturday.
After losing the toss, Greta batted first but opening bowler Kade Michael set a tight bowling standard for the Lakers, picking up an early wicket and conceding just 13 runs from his eight overs.
Michael and fellow opening bowler Jack Hudson, together with first change bowler Lucas Pickering, all collected two wickets and after 36 overs, Greta compiled 100 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
Hudson and Pickering finished with the fine figures of 2/23 off eight overs and 2/19 off six respectively.
Greta’s seven dismissal was a fine runout by Ben Picketing of Greta’s captain and top scorer Marc Sealey for 27.
Lakers began the run chase satisfactorily and when both opening batsmen, Darcy Hargreaves ad Matthew Wilson were out for 15 and 14, there were 41 runs on the board.
The mid 1990’s super bat for Yarrawonga Footballers, Peter Brear, went cheaply.
But a sound and unbroken fourth wicket partnership between Ben Pickering (29) and Damian Leeburn (28) took the score to 3/102 and a big victory.
Under 12 Rams gallant in defeat
Benalla Bushrangers Blue 6/86 def Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 7/84.
The final match of the season saw the Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams take on the Benalla Bushrangers Blue on their home ground, to battle it out for the premiership.
After winning the toss the Bushrangers had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first, as the dew on the Arundel Street oval was going to work in their favour.
Hugo Bott and Murphy Doyle opened the innings and got the team off to a steady start, before Doyle was run out for seven.
Finn O’Brien made his way to the crease and batted patiently with Bott, before they both retired.
Layken Saunders, George Kennedy, Ned O’Brien and Lincoln Ridley were unable to get on top of the Bushrangers bowlers and were soon all back in the pavilion.
Lachie Brown played some fine shots, before he too found the fielder.
Paddy Doyle (7 retired off 15) strode to the crease and looked as comfortable as ever, finding the gaps and keeping the fielders on their toes with his quick singles.
George Hill played some fine shots, before he too was caught.
Bott (20 not out off 33) and O’Brien (12 not out off 25) returned to finish off the innings and to help the Rams build a total of 7 for 84 off the 20 overs.
With a score on the board, the Rams knew that every ball was going to count.
The Rams started their bowling innings with great intent, making the Bushrangers earn their runs.
Finn O’Brien and Lachie Brown combined to execute a great run out, which brought the rather large crowd to life.
Layken Saunders took a sharp return catch off his bowling and the Rams players were up and about.
From there the Bushrangers started to play some fine shots and get on top.
At the drinks break, the coaches urged the boys to fight the game out and that they did. The eleventh over saw the Rams claim three wickets.
Ned O’Brien (2 for 9 off 2 overs) combined with brother Finn to hand Ned his first wicket, before Finn rattled the stumps with direct hit.
Lachie Brown took a great catch at mid-wicket to round out a great over by Ned O’Brien. With only a handful of runs left, the Bushrangers scored the required runs and claimed victory.
The Rams players played the game and the season in fantastic spirit and all should be very proud of their efforts.
Well done to all the Bulls and Lakers players and coaches for their efforts throughout the season also.
Having all three teams make the finals is a great achievement for the club.
Yarrawonga Chronicle