WANGARATTA and District reacted savagely to its opening-round defeat with a 212-run trouncing of Benalla in their under-17 clash at Wangaratta’s Bill O’Callaghan Oval yesterday.
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Still hurting from its narrow to loss Murray, the home association set about making amends with Corowa batsman Damien Wilson blasting a century for the victors.
His 128 formed the backbone of the team’s mammoth score of 8-315 with teammates Callum Nankervis, Hamish Busk and Will Kidd chipping in with handy knocks.
Benalla crashed to 2-5 off six overs in the chase before being bundled out for 104.
Wangaratta and District must rely on a miracle to win the coveted Keith Sherwill Shield as it needs to defeat Cricket Albury-Wodonga tomorrow and rely on Benalla causing a huge upset by toppling undefeated Murray.
Team manager John Dodd said yesterday the players responded well to the first-round loss.
“It’s disappointing we lost that one to Murray but the boys came out well and put in a very good performance,” Dodd said.
“Damien Wilson set it up really well.
“He worked the ball around and didn’t just go the big hit all of the time.
“We were really happy with our score and then the bowlers backed it up.”
Benalla added some respectability to its score through a 34-run partnership from James Thomas and Sam Gladstone but Wangaratta’s bowlers rarely released the pressure with Keiran Jamieson taking 3-20.
In the other tussle, brothers Darcy and Trent I’Anson led Murray to a seven-wicket win against CAW at Xavier High School.
After winning the toss and batting, CAW lost a wicket in the opening over through a run out and never recovered as Darcy (3-6) and Trent (3-5) kept them to just 43 runs.
Kevin McDonald was the only batsman to reach double figures with 11.
Murray lost three wickets in the chase but the result was never in doubt with Michael Perry top-scoring with 21 not out.
The match finished soon after lunch with the teams playing a Twenty20 game in the afternoon.
All teams will have a rest day before the final round tomorrow when Murray will look to clinch the title by defeating Benalla at Urana Road Oval and Wangaratta does battle with CAW at Yackandandah.