mmg.com.au

A pair of blazing centuries from Shaun Downie and Luke Carter have helped Murray Valley thunder back into contention for a fifth straight Bendigo Country Week title.

After a disappointing opening day defeat to Ferntree Gully, the reigning champion showed Benalla no mercy yesterday, piling on 7-346.

Skipper Downie led from the front pummelling 144 and sharing in a monster partnership with Carter, who made 111.

In reply, Benalla batted out its overs, but made little attempt to chase down the mammoth total and reached 4-154 by the close of play.

Murray Valley team manager Kevin Thewlis had little doubt about what won his side the game.

‘‘We had a couple of blokes that instead of getting starts went on to make big scores and big scores generally win you games,’’ Thewlis.

‘‘Shaun and Luke are two of the best players we’ve got in the association with the bat and they’re the ones that can go out and win the game for us.’’

It was clear from the start Murray Valley intended to make the most of excellent batting conditions at Eaglehawk and hit its way into form.

Openers Stewart Thompson (42) and Kieran Andrew (15) raced to 58 without loss inside eight overs and while both fell in quick succession there was no respite for the Benalla bowlers.

Downie and Carter carried on the momentum and put on 222 for the third-wicket.

In what was a tough day for the Benalla bowlers, Mark O’Brien finished with 3-55 from 10 overs.

As if Benalla’s task was not hard enough, Ash Quinn dismissed Jackman Hinss for a duck in the first over.

From there on Benalla adopted a conservative approach, with Andrew Startin (56), Jack Egan (47 not out) and Greg Hoysted (39) helping their side see out its 50 overs.

The only downside to the day for Murray Valley was it was unable to take 10 wickets.

‘‘Benalla were coming off a bit of a disappointing day yesterday (Monday) ... they were more intent on just defending and they never really challenged us with the bat themselves,’’ Thewlis said.

‘‘The disappointing thing about that as far as we’re concerned is the fact that we only got four wickets, which doesn’t help our bonus point situation.’’

The result sets up a crucial clash with the undefeated Goulburn Murray Cricket today.

Goulburn Murray had little trouble seeing off Castlemaine at Huntly yesterday.

Skipper Dylan Cuttriss tore through the top-order, with 3-55, as Castlemaine was all out for 145.

Only opener Ian Garsed (67) showed any resistance, while Liam Ringin grabbed 3-13.

Brendan Prendergast (53) scored his second half-century in as many days, as Goulburn Murray passed the score with five wickets in hand, finishing the day 7-196.