BENALLA made a flying start to its Keith Sherwill Shield campaign when it upset Cricket Albury-Wodonga by 50 runs in their North East Junior Country Week match at Urana Road Oval yesterday.
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After struggling to score 110, the Benalla attack refused to concede and bundled the host association out for just 60 thanks to some fine bowling from Nathan Purcell.
Purcell claimed 3-5 off 6.4 overs, with coach Gary Abley praising his entire bowling line-up.
“It was excellent win,” Abley said.
“We had five ducks in our innings, but we have a pretty good bowling attack and we thought if we made over 100 we would still be a chance of winning.
“The boys did well.”
CAW captain and opener Sam Welsh played a lone hand with a patient knock of 41.
Benalla also found the going tough with the bat with the exception of James Cousins, who made a match-winning 48, and Finton Brazil, who provided excellent support down the order with 22.
CAW coach Chris Cunningham said it was a mixed performance by his team.
“We did well with the ball, but lost early wickets and couldn’t recover,” he said.
“We lost a bit of confidence after that.”
Wangaratta and District opened with a convincing 43-run win over Cricket Albury-Wodonga Country at Alexandra Park.
With Nick Pell and Will Reilly batting well to compile 38 and 28 respectively, Wangaratta put a competitive score of 6-171 on the board and defended the total superbly.
CAW Country could only manage 128 in reply, with Brad Dalbosco making 22.
Wangaratta coach John Dodd said it was pleasing to start the under-17 competition with a win.
“I think our bowling was probably the difference,” Dodd said.
“We used eight or nine bowlers and they were on the spot.
“They didn’t stray off middle and off stump very often.”