CAW four help Bullets win

Wicketkeeper bat Rosie Blain last Friday evening at Ball Park Oval Corowa.

Cricket Albury Wodonga (CAW) cricketers, playing coach Cath Wood from Balldale, Howlong’s Ebony Hoskin, Rosie Blain from Corowa and Sara Burns from Burrumbuttock were part of the Riverina Bullets team which beat Coffs Coast Chargers in the Regional Bash at North Sydney Oval on Monday, night, February 7.

It was a big, winning Monday with the Riverina Bullets setting up a final’s appearance with a strong win over Illawarra Flames in the preliminary final earlier in the day. Rosie, who wicketkept, remained unbeaten on 13 with the bat in the 20-over format.

In the final, Riverina Bullets batted first, compiling 6/103, thanks to an unbroken 39 partnership after being in trouble at 6/64 in which Sara top scored with 27 not-out.

But that 6/64 would have been much worse without Rosie’s 17 runs batting second drop at number 4.

“As soon as we got to 100, we knew we were going to be competitive,” the coach said.

Consistent Ebony led the bowling attack, bowling economically, claiming 2/11 and

contributing helping to a slow run rate.

“Ebony opened the bowling, was very tight, took crucial wickets and had a direct hit runout,” Cath said.

Rosie, who didn’t keep wickets in the first two games in December and had to step up to replace experienced Lisa Kuschert (Covid isolation), did a fine job and took a good catch.

Coffs Coast Chargers finished on 7 for 82, losing by 21 runs.

“Rosie did very well with the bat and keeping – she took a nice catch coming forward,” Cath said. “And there no byes in the two finals.”

Cath praised her “brilliant captain” Jodi Hay and was thrilled with the team’s players, this being the best Riverina Bullets have finished in the three years of competition.

The 36-year-old is also head coach of the Riverina women’s academy and will further tap into the region’s talent pool of women.

“There is potential for our women’s competition to grow, which is exciting and clearly the clubs they play for back home after looking after them, which is really important.”

Rosie, 17, enjoyed the experience playing with new people and at a higher level in female cricket.

In 2020, the now Year 12 student Corowa High School played in the under 15 nationals for ACT/Country NSW.

Wicketkeeping of course is the hardest fielding position in cricket, being on the go every ball. “I started wicket keeping in about 2019 as most teams I was playing in didn’t have a keeper and I wasn’t bowling very often so I decided that I would have a go,” Rosie told The Free Press.

“There are quite a few coaches who have helped me out along the way including my Dad (Stephen) who was a keeper and Cath Wood who has been one of my coaches for quite a while in female teams.”

Rosie plays for Corowa Cricket Club in the under 16s boys team, usually wicketkeeps and bats at number 3 or 4.

Four other girls play in her age group across the under 16s and a few more play in other age groups.

Rosie first started playing with her brother in his team when she was “about 10 or 11 and from there I have played cricket competitively in both female and male competitions”.

Dad Stephen used to play cricket with Timboon and was also a wicketkeeper. “He has been very helpful and enthusiastic, Dad and Mum are always encouraging and willing to drive me anywhere I need to go,” she said.

“I am just enjoying playing cricket, meeting new people and learning new skills, and particularly like the team aspect of cricket.”

Corowa Cricket Club President Paul Lavis praised her endeavour and ability. “Rosie is a determined and talented player,” he said.

“A NSW representative at the national carnival last year, she leads with her attitude.”