Defending just 127, Corowa were facing an uphill battle but battled hard with rivals Albury passing that total with just three wickets and two overs to spare.
The win saw Albury advance to this week's grand final and Corowa's season come to an abrupt and heartbreaking end.
But it was still a good season for the side, which recovered from a shaky start (bowled out for 39 in round 1) to finish second on the ladder in its first season under captain Greg Burgess.
On turf for just the second time this season, Corowa elected to bat and Jason Raggett (26) and John Conroy (22) got the side off to a solid start.
But it was slim pickings after that with only Burgess (15) and Matt Shipard (14) making inroads against a strong Albury attack.
Caleb Kuschert and Blayre Smith stood tall in the latter overs to take Corowa to 127 on what was proving a tough wicket and high pressure game at Ball Park.
Needing less than 3.5 an over, Albury came out strongly with opener Daniel Welsh bashing two fours early in a day where boundaries were a premium.
But Danny Osborne is a class bowler and he drew the error from Welsh, Burgess moving at lightning speed at mid-on to take the catch and it was game on.
Osborne followed up soon after by rattling the stumps of Albury's No.3.
Albury steadied but then Kuschert came on with immediate effect, taking two wickets and Albury were 4/57.
As it was all day, the game moved ball-by-ball, evenly poised until Burgess secured the fifth wicket with a run-out, keeper Luke Kuschert removing the bails.
But Albury dug in again until Osborne took his third, an LBW, with Albury 6/90.
Wickets were needed but only one more was to come, Smith's safe hands snaffling a skied catch at mid-on off the bowling off keeper-turned-bowler Kuschert.
The all-important eighth wicket, which might have made the difference, never eventuated however and Albury survived some hairy moments to get the job done, their number 6 the matchwinner with 41 not out.
A good game of cricket though and the side raring to go around again next season.
Under 16s and Under 14s out too
The Under 16’s season ended when they went down to top placed St Patricks by 17 runs in their semi final clash at Ball Park. Bowling first, all the Corowa bowlers bowled well as they bowled out St Patricks for 87. Angus Williams was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 8, while Leroy Chester took 2 for 1 and Eli Lavis took 2 for 18.
In the chase, Oliver Collins (17) and Ethan Lane (17) gave Corowa a chance with the score at 1 for 33. But a steady flow of wickets saw Corowa bowled out for 70 with still 7 overs to be bowled with Joe Lavis left 11 not out the only other batter to reach double figures.
Under 14s
The Under 14’s season came to an end when they lost to East Albury in their semi final on the weekend. Winning the toss and batting, Corowa just kept on losing wickets as they were bowled out for 94 in 25.3 overs. Archie Bedford top scored with 23 while Austin Ross-Anderson looked good for 20 no out but ran out of partners.
In reply, the Corowa bowlers made East Albury work for every run with East’s taking 37 overs to make the runs but Corowa could only take 4 wickets in the chase. Eli Lavis took two wickets while Aiden Wintle took one. Joe Lavis bowled well to finished with figures of 0 for 0 off 6 overs.
The club’s presentation night is on Saturday, March 25 at the Corowa RSL starting at 6pm. This is both for the Juniors and Seniors.
The club would like to acknowledge our 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, Gentech Seeds, Poolwerx, Corowa Furnishings and Floors, McLardy McShane, Australia Grain Technologies, Moloney Real Estate, Beechworth Honey, Dunns Twin City Cranes, Corowa Distilling & Corowa RSL Club.
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