OVENS Valley United Cricket Club’s successful under 12 Orange squad proved beyond a shadow of a doubt they were the best team in the competition. After winning their Under 12 Blue Division title last weekend, the Tigers took on the Gold Division premiers Benalla Bushrangers Blue to determine once and for all who ruled the age group. For the second time in as many weeks, the Tigers took home the silverware, defeating the Bushrangers by six wickets. After being handed the ball, the Tigers kept Benalla to 8/74 from 18.2 overs, with Hunter Harris (2/6 from two overs) and Dakar Hilton (2/13 off two) doing the damage with the ball. Rylan Harris (1/7 off 1.2), Koby Harris (1/11 off two), and Beau Sanderson (1/1 off two) also picked up wickets. With the target set, the chase was on. Owen Pethybridge (seven), Rylan Harris (two), and Hunter Harris (two) worked hard early, but when two wickets fell, the Tigers were on the back foot at 2/8. The middle order fired, with Dakar Hilton (eight), Beau Sanderson (10), and Cooper Carroll (nine not out) keeping the run rate ticking over without losing a wicket, with batters retiring after facing 15 deliveries. Judd Carroll was the power hitter, belting four boundaries on his way to 23 before retiring and getting his side over the line. Roczen Hilton (three) and Fredrick Ives (four) put the result beyond doubt, Ovens Valley United Orange home at 4/90 from 14 overs.
