Initially slated for Ball Park in the hopes of a bumper crowd for a Dan Smith and Dan Christian show, the game had to be moved back to Alexander Park due to heavy rain rendering the former venue unplayable.
The game was reduced to 45 overs each after losing time transferring between grounds.
This didn’t seem to affect the Corowa boys though as they characteristically lost the toss again and were sent in to bat on what looked like a decent wicket.
Both Dan’s opened the innings and started well. It was tough early with the wicket being sticky and some good bowling from East Albury, but eventually the cream rose the top and the boys started to take the game away from the crows.
Both batsmen used their feet well and took away some of the good bowling by dispatching them all over the ground before Dan Smith was first to go on 25.
Ben Mitchell was then brought to the crease and made things look a little harder struggling to get bat on ball early. He soon found his groove and moved the score along nicely to be 1/106 at 15 overs.
Christian and Mitchell kept the run rate up and with some impressive power hitting the score was moving at an alarming rate with Christian bringing up his 100 with a massive 6 over the bowler’s head.
He was then dismissed soon after for a match winning 114 off 100 with 18 boundaries including 2 sixes. Mitchell continued his nice innings and played some interesting reverse sweeps for no runs and was dismissed for well-made 79 off 80 balls including 3 sixes.
Patty Lavis and Matt Grantham continued from the boys before Grantham skied a lolly and Lavis slipping over after confusion between the wickets.
Matt Wilson and Jay Lavis were brought to the crease but not for long as Lavis went caught behind first ball. Wilson and Joe Hansen then finished out the innings with clever batting to close the score at 6/288 off their 45 overs.
Having to chase a big total East Albury changed their line up to suit and went for some bigger hitters at the top of the order. Nick Grant and Dan Christian bowled well early on and set the tone for the rest of the innings. East Albury however pounced on any rare lose balls and were in a strong position after 10 overs.
Patty Lavis was brought into the attack and collected the team’s first wicket with a simple caught and bowled.
East Albury continued their innings valuing their wicket instead of the increasing run rate and combined with the cool and experienced Corowa boys’ things started to fall into place.
Mark ‘Derek” Athanitis was brought into the attack and continued his good form collecting 3/33 from 9 overs. Mitchell also continued his fine game and dried up the runs as the total seemed impossible at this stage, with Corowa being too good with ball in hand and in the field.
Jack Thomas wound back the clock and was moving freely for a 40 year old coach and showed he has plenty left to offer in his twilight both in the field and with the ball.
The boys finished the innings off strong and restricting East Albury to 9/198 off their 45. Patty Lavis finishing strongly to take 3/37 and Thomas doing what he does best and collecting a cheap wicket at the end.
Corowa ended up winning by 90 runs and good all-round display of cricket leaving the side third on the ladder with 6 wins from 8 games.
Next week the team take on Tallangatta at Ball Park hoping to keep the momentum going on a strong start to the season.
B Grade
B grade didn’t get a start due to the weather.
C Grade
C Grade played only six overs before its game was washed out on Saturday.
Bailey Minogue came in for his first game of the season and delivered a good opening bowling partnership with Caleb Kuschert.
A well-judged catch falling forward at point by Karvan Silva saw Minogue take the only wicket of the match.
The washout sees Corowa lose first place but it remains half a game clear in second in the nine-team competition.
Corowa enjoys a bye next weekend.
“It’s been a great start,” new captain Blayre Smith said last week.
“There’s some things we need to work on but we’re getting better and better.”
Under 14s Div 2
Day 1
With all the rain overnight Corowa weren’t confident of a start but Howlong ground was in good condition albeit the pitch was wet.
Callan won the toss and elected to bowl. It was a hard call to make but they backed their bowlers in.
The 14s started really well with Abe Spencer and Jake Witherden combining for a tight opening spell. Archie Rhodes and Callan Corcoran came into the attack and with a mix of out swingers from Archie (bowled a batsman around his legs) and well flighted spin by Cal saw Corowa pick up 3 quick wickets to have Howlong 3/29 at first drinks break.
Howlong got a partnership happening however Charlie Hall broke the partnership bowling the batsman off stump however Howlong recovered and put on 101 for the next partnership before Josh Kremmer broke it with a catch by Charlie removing their batsman for 43.
Late in the innings Jake Witherden got some reward for his earlier bowling effort with Josh taking a sharp catch at square leg.
Howlong ended up making 6/184 leaving Corowa with some work to do next week. With a strong batting line up, it is game on.
**The rest of the junior games were washed out.
The club would like to acknowledge their sponsors for this season, A & A Auto, Davidson White Accountants, John Rhodes Bricklaying, Waldrons Fresh on River, Kilara Group, Rivalea, Pharmasave Corowa, O’Connors, Balldale Hotel, Federation Steel, Collins Transport, BJ Hanrahan Family Trust, Moloney Real Estate, Corowa Furnishing and Floors & Corowa RSL Club.
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