Corowa A Grade cricketers travelled to Albury on Saturday to take on ladder leaders North Albury and will be keen to return as winners at home this Saturday.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Captain Lane won the toss on a good Bunton Park pitch. Corowa got off to a slow but solid start before losing two wickets in as many balls to be quickly 2 down.
The evergreen Jeremy Carr joined Matt Wilson at the crease and the pair looked to build a partnership. Carr unfortunately was run out and when Wilson and Athanitis were stumped Corowa found itself 5/108.
Unlike other weeks the tail didn’t wag, and Corowa lost its last 5 wickets for 30 runs to be all out for 137.
The bowling innings never really got going, not through lack of trying, fielding 11 in the heat and a very flat track the score was chased with ease.
As we have said to the boys the whole season, never waste a game to learn, to get A grade overs into Pat Lavis, Bradtke and Backhouse we got a look at a side that is loaded ready to win now.
We live to fight another day and face New City at home this week.
Unbroken 36 last wicket wins
B Grade has won another thriller with youngster Darcy Melksham and thirteen-year-old Jay Lavis adding 38 for the last wicket to get Corowa over the line against North Albury at Ball Park.
Bowling first, Darcy Melksham had North Albury in big trouble as he collected four early wickets to have the Hoppers 4 for 24. North Albury put their heads down and put on a great partnership of 128 to really set Corowa a very challenging total.
Aaron Phibbs collected two late wickets as North Albury finished their 45 overs at 6 for 175, with Melksham taking 4 for 49 and Phibbs 2 for 18.
In reply Ryan Beveridge (30) and Will Seymour (40) set Corowa on the way and at 1 for 71 Corowa looked in control. But Corowa lost 4 quick wickets to be 5 for 89.
Wickets continued to fall, and the game looked lost with the score at 9 for 139 with 7 overs left. Darcy Melksham and Jay Lavis were brilliant as they calmly chased down the total passing the score with an over to spare. Melksham finished on 26 not out while Lavis showed his very bright future with 10.
The team takes on New City at Urana Road Oval this Saturday.
C Grade (Div 1)
C grade travelled into the Thurgoona Football ground to take on the 5th place New City in an attempt to cement their home final spot within the top 3, batting first and it was all guns blazing as they set out to make a charge towards the end of the season and the beginning of the finals.
McDonell and Smith opening the innings and the 501:1 rank outside chance of a maiden to begin proceedings came home, would have loved a pineapple on that. Unfortunately for New City that was to be the last.
The next 8 overs saw the visitors punish some sloppy bowling and take the score to 66 before the first wicket fell, that of the dangerous McDonell, little did New City realise that as part time cricketer, full time bogan Stewart strutted to the crease, the pocket rocket at the non-strikers end was the real danger. CJ Smith bludgeoned 5 sixes and 9 fours and falling one boundary short of a brilliant and deserving hundred off only 71 balls. By the time he departed at 2/155 the damage was well and truly done. The New City attack even allowing Stewart to bring up a scratchy half century of his own, undoubtedly inspired by his cricketing idol, and spiritual team leader, the grandiose and humbly charismatic Closter. New City was set a run a ball 240 for an unlikely victory.
The home side fought gallantly and despite refusing to give away their wickets the total was always going to be too large. Some tight bowling and fantastic fielding from the usual suspects a now given in the field for the best looking (on average) side in the c grade competition but the show was stolen by an unlikely hero, of sorts.
For the second week in a row Alex Lavis gave up the gloves for the ball, initially confused on how to grip the leather 2-piece after a quick run down from fellow pie chucker Stewart he was away.
Lucky for the eager crowd the Covid restrictions had eased enough to allow onlookers as the 7 people in attendance were treated to a display rarer than Halley’s Comet, Lavis had a wicket.
A big “thank you” to the New City number 8, this is one wicket that will not be forgotten in a hurry. Kuschert picking up 3 wickets and a run out but Corowa were unable to take the last wicket, New City falling 74 runs short.
Join us next week as the boys are back home taking on Lavington Black for the final home and away round of the year in what promises to at least equal the lofty standards set by the Friday Night @ The Station crew, despite moving to a new pool side summer venue.
C Grade (Div 2)
Corowa C-Grade (Division 2) has secured a finals berth after a big win against second-placed Albury Blue at South Corowa on Saturday.
The home side set a sizeable 181 for victory, with Callum Carter again the star with the willow, the side’s leading run scorer for the year hitting 67 at he lifted his 2020-21 average to a healthy 48.2.
With a decent total to work with for the first time in about a month, Corowa’s bowlers set about their task. The strong Albury Blue side got off to a promising start, but when Justin Lewis and Brad Goyne removed the two openers Corowa took control.
Skipper Ryan Mills and leg spinner Jack Eales chimed in each for a wicket and then Goyne hit top gear.
The lethal medium pacer off the short run added two wickets in two balls and watched as his hat-trick ball was edged between first slip and the keeper. But Goyne would add two more wickets to finish the day with 5-16.
An energetic team effort in the field was exemplified by mid-season recruit Steve Cordwell, who vacuumed up anything that came his way and produced the catch of the day at mid-on.
Carter and Goyne loom as key figures as Corowa once again enter a finals series, but before that the side takes on runaway ladder leaders Howlong for the first time this year in what should be a fascinating derby.
Under 16
Under 16s Blue are in a strong position after the first day of their game against Lavington at Ball Park. Batting first Blue amassed 8 for 185 off their 40 overs. Patrick Lavis led the way with a brilliant 88, he was well supported by Nash Lavis (26) and Ethan Hanrahan (20).
Under 16’s White made 8 for 137 of the first day of their game against St Patricks at Xavier Oval. Justin Lewis was good with 40, and he was well supported by Jack Eales with 37 and Lachie Raggett with 34.
Under 14s White
Under 14s Corowa White took on St Patricks White at Corowa on Saturday. St Pat’s White won the toss and elected to bat. Corowa White bowled well against St Pat’s being top of the ladder.
Jayden Forge opened the bowling, bowling 6 overs with 1 maiden 0/21, accompanied by Joe Lavis, who took 1/25 from his 6 overs.
Levi Phibbs bowled well, claiming 2/17 off 6 overs.
Rustin Collins bowled 3 overs 0/19 and Jacob Kremmer bowled 3 overs for 0/21.
Leroy Chester was next up – 5 overs of excellent bowling, claiming4/26.
Ashton Wynne bowled 3 overs and managed 1/23.
Jordon Allan, Angus Potter and Tex Longmire all bowled 2 overs without any wickets.
Corowa White was helped by 3 under 12 cricketers in Levi Phibbs, Joe Lavis and Rustin Collins, all doing well.
Corowa White must bat next week and are chasing 208 to win. Good luck boys and need to win to make finals.
Under 12s Blue
The Under 12s Blue registered their third win for the season with an exciting 4 run victory over St Patricks White at Noreuil Park. Batting first, Blue was led by Rhylee Barber who made a great 22* while he had great support from Lochlan Lake with 20*, Will Forrest (14) and Franklin Murray-Wright (8) as the team batted out their 20 overs making 6 for 96.
In reply Blue made a great start with Tanner Cull getting an early wicket and when Harry Norman got danger man Hill out early Blue was well on top at 2 for 1.
Great fielding by Franklin Murray-Wright, Harry Norman and Ajay Heagney saw St Pats fall to 5 for 40 by the halfway mark. But the radar of Corowa’s bowlers struggled in the second half of the innings as St Pats made it to the last over needing 8 runs but Rhylee Barber was able to hold his nerve and the side celebrated their third win. Franklin finished with 2 for 2 while Harry took 2 for11.
The Club would like to acknowledge our sponsors for this season, A & A Auto, Davidson White Accountants, John Rhodes Bricklaying, Waldrons Fresh on River, Dunn’s Twin City Cranes, Kilara Group, Nutrimax, Royal Hotel, O’Connors, Rand Ag and Fertilizer Pty Ltd, Kell Moore, Grantham Nominees, Peter Tidd Electrical, Federation Steel, B & A Eales Painting & Decorating, D’Amicos Restaurant, McLardy McShane, Pharmasave, Bartletts Gas, BJ Hanrahan Family Trust & Corowa RSL Club.
By Robert Muir
Corowa has one playing game left – hosting New City this Saturday – then the bye before this season’s finals in its inaugural CAW Provincial season.
And it should be finals action for the Roos who are sitting sixth on the ladder.
It’s a tight ladder, but Corowa’s competitiveness has resulted in a healthy percentage giving it every chance to play in the finals.
Plenty of talent will be on display at Ball Park on Saturday, with Roos’ coach Jarryd Hatton and allrounder Ben Mitchell returning from NSW Country Championship duties.
New City’s number three batsman Shoaib Shaikh posted his third century this season last Saturday. The former Indian Premier League batsman was dismissed on 100, making his team’s score 7/145. New City’s final score was 7/183, defeating Tallangatta’s 9/182.