Kyabram stays in finals race

The previously undefeated Castlemaine's decision to bat after winning the toss backfired in a big way as it was knocked over for just 78 in 27 overs at Wade Street.

The carnage began on the very first ball of the game when Casey Zepnick was run out and soon after, Castlemaine was reeling at 6-25.

But, 42-year-old Robbie Lee (28) and Adrian Conn (13) set about adding some respectability to the score and in a fighting partnership, put on 46 for the seventh wicket.

But, when that partnership was broken by left-arm spinner Braden Stone (3-5), Castlemaine ended its innings the same way it started - losing a host of wickets in quick succession to be all out for 78.

Curtis Stone (4-29), playing his first game for Kyabram, teamed with his brother to rip through the Castlemaine batting line-up, while Ashley Quinn (2-27) also bowled well.

In reply, Kyabram's openers Lee Rowland (9) and John Mann (42) got their side off to a solid start with a 48-run opening stand.

Peter Watt (93 n.o.), captain Paul Ranson (41), Matthew Kilmartin (37) and Troy Thompson (37) built on the foundation set by the openers as Kyabram finished at 283 off 70 overs.

Brenton Jones (4-26) toiled hard for Castlemaine, which was always going to struggle to defend 78 on the dry Wade Street ground.

Kyabram, which lost by 108 runs to Benalla on Monday, moved to second on the ladder after its second win of the carnival.

"We've got quite a few young guys and they've responded well to the mistakes we made on the first day," Ranson said.

"Really, it was only poor catching that cost us on that first day; the guys' endeavour was good, but there was six or seven first-timers playing and they were probably a little over-anxious, which resulted in them spilling a few catches.

"But the guys have responded really well to the lessons learned and they've been really positive in the way they've reacted," he said.

Kyabram meets the top-placed Murray Valley at Colbinabbin today in a game it must win to progress to tomorrow's final.

"Murray Valley is a good outfit that prepares really well, so it's going to be a good challenge." TWIN centuries from captain Mick Cleeland and Chris Armstrong ensured Murray Valley remained the only unbeaten team after three games.

Cleeland (125 n.o.) and Armstrong (105) shared in a 236-run partnership for the third wicket that allowed Murray Valley to take the points against Benalla.

The Waaia team-mates came together with Murray Valley in a precarious 2-25 in response to Benalla's 9-201 at White Hills, but their attacking stroke-play quickly put the game beyond Benalla's reach.

Cleeland hit 17 fours during his innings, while Armstrong, who has made 244 runs in the carnival, plundered 10 boundaries and two sixes.

Earlier in the day, Greg Hoysted (77) was again the mainstay of Benalla's innings, backing up his first-day 117 with another powerful display.

Sam Hazell (29), captain Andrew Startin (27) and Matthew Sharp (26) also made handy contributions, but 201 was always going to be difficult to defend against the powerful Murray Valley batting line-up.

Murray Valley shared the wickets around with off-spinner Damien Ryan (3-49), Damien Atkins (2-29), Shawn Downie (2-16) and Darren Killmister (1-41) all taking scalps.

AT Atkins Street, Wimmera Mallee notched up its first win of the carnival with a comfortable 108-run win over Deniliquin, which is the only side yet to register a victory.

Captain Lachlan Jones (73) led from the front and got his side off to a strong start after the early dismissal of Dion Hawkes for a duck.

Jones shared in valuable partnerships of 60 with Rohan Brown (30) and 97 with Mark McPherson (40), which helped set up Wimmera Mallee's total of 8-241 off its 50 overs.

Graeme Holland (27) and Travis Baird (21) continued the good work by the top-order with handy runs late in the innings.

Michael Keenes (3-65) was the best of the Deniliquin bowlers, while spinner Tim Hartshorn (2-34) picked up a couple of wickets.

Deniliquin was well-placed for victory at 1-65 in its run chase with Ashley Germano (47) and Hartshorn (21) in control.

But when Hartshorn was dismissed, it sparked a collapse as Deniliquin soon slumped to 9-108.

But late-order hitting from captain Aaron McDonald (25) saw his side eventually reach 133.

Baird (4-43) and Jones (4-44) were the men responsible for the Deniliquin collapse.

Wimmera Mallee finished at 5-61 in its second innings with Ricky Allan (32 n.o.) enjoying his second stint at the crease after failing in the first innings.