CRICKET - U16s

Delatite CC vs Benalla Bushrangers CC 8/263

A QUICK trip up the road this week saw Delatite take on Benalla in Round Four of the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association (WDCA) U16 competition.

Delatite skipper Nick Hoskin won the toss and elected to bowl first, and the decision looked like paying off immediately with a wicket being taken off the first ball.

However, hopes of making early inroads into the Bushrangers' innings were dashed when the first ball from Hoskin was deemed a no-ball.

Benalla capitalised on the situation, cashing in with a century opening stand and a 76 run partnership for the second wicket.

Delatite were able to slow the Bushrangers' charge somewhat after that, with regular wickets slowing the run rate considerably.

Young gun Nixen Martin was the pick of the bowlers with 2/26, with Josh Cook, Koby Middleton, Max O'Loughlan, Will Benton and Darcy McSweeney each taking a wicket.

A tough day in the field, but the team should be proud of the way they stayed upbeat and positive, and the rewards came at the end of the innings.

After an improved performance with the bat in the previous game, Delatite are certainly not out of the contest.