Tallangatta ends Wodonga's unbeaten run with 31-run upset

The Bulldogs had won eight 50-over and five T20 matches, but the Bushies' strong team effort resulted in a 31-run loss.

Indian import Sahib Malhotra posted 77 from 73 balls after openers Phil Neville (45) and Oliver Willett (44) combined superbly.

"The easiest time to bat is when the ball's hard in the first 20 overs, so if you can't capitalise on that because you're a couple down you've got to rebuild and you're pretty much disadvantaged for the rest of the match," coach Matt Armstrong said.

"And if you haven't got wickets at the end you can't accelerate, the ball's soft and you're going to lose wickets in the last 10-15 (overs)."

After missing three weeks with family commitments, Neville has racked up 171 runs at 34, while Willett is averaging almost 50 in his last six innings, including one T20 game.

"He's playing his role perfectly, anchoring the innings and keeping it together so for the guys that come in, they know one end is tied up and the strike is being turned over," Armstrong said.

"It's great to have someone at the top of the order who can absorb pressure and keep the scoreboard ticking over."

The duo's work provided the ideal platform for the classy Malhotra, who had made a duck and 26 in his two 50-over innings.

"It was obviously tough conditions in the heat, he was busting back for twos to get as much of the strike as he could in the last 10 overs," Armstrong said.

"All the bowlers are under pressure when they're bowling to someone of his calibre, he definitely capitalises if you drop it a bit short, he'll hit it out of the ground, whereas other blokes might whack it for one or two."

The visitors finished on 7-221 with youngster Charlie Jackson snaring 3-46.

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Wodonga's Riverina captain Tom Johnson looked dangerous in making 35 from 50 balls, but he fell to Englishman Matt Oswell, while Jack Craig posted 40 before he was caught and bowled by Ryan Bartel.

Given the home team's depth it was never out of the match, but the ever reliable Sam Stephens' four wickets and Armstrong's three bowled out Wodonga for 190.

Wodonga still retains premiership favouritism, but the Bushies' performance shows they're a genuine challenger.

CAW now has a three-week break with Tallangatta then hosting East Albury.