Corowa avenged its early season loss to St Patrick’s with an emphatic 90 run win away from home on Saturday. The Roos made 198 and rolled St Pats for 108.
It is no secret that captain Hatton has struggled with the coin toss as of late. He knew things had to change and he made the decision to send in his right hand man Ben Mitchell to the middle.
This proved a master stroke as Ben won the toss and elected to bat.
The Corowa opening pair of Lavis and Mitchell settled extremely quickly and went at a rate of knocks scoring boundaries all around the ground. Lavis and Mitchell took the score to 42 before Lavis was the first gone for a well compiled 12.
This brought Australia’s leading osteo to the crease Matt Grantham and he was looking extra swollen, so the boys knew he was in for a big game. He and Mitchell kept the run rate ticking over with Mitchell scoring extremely quickly. Grantham brought up his 50 off just 45 balls which included a 6 and ten 4’s.
Not long after this Mitchell was caught with the score 2-86.
Wilson came to the crease and the two kept the runs flowing and at 2/110 Corowa was in the box seat to post a big total.
Wilson was caught and with the score at 3/126 Corowa needed the middle order to keep the pace.
Lane and Grantham knocked the ball around but when Grantham was caught Corowa were now 4/134.
Lane has been in this position before and just like previous weeks wickets fell around him. When Lane was run out Corowa were now 8/175
Jay Lavis batting with young Eales and Grant brought the score to 198 with Grant being the last batsman out.
With Grant coming back from his summer holiday and looking extra tan he and Hatton set the tone for Corowa bowling’s innings. Hatton striking early with 2 quick wickets Corowa had St Pats 2-8.
Lizard Grant was bowling a like work horse in 35 degrees heat. He bowled 8 overs straight and set the standard for the rest of the bowlers to follow. He bowled his 10 overs for 23 and even though he didn’t take a wicket his efforts and line length were a huge reason why Patties never got away.
Athanitis came on and got the wicket of O’Brien at 3/78. This is where the flood gates opened as Hatton came back on for his second spell and ripped the game open and the hearts of his former team. Mitchell bowled with Hatton vigorously and when he took the key wicket of Scammell the Corowa boys had Patties 6-90 and the game was firmly in their favour. Mitchell bowled extremely well taking 3 wickets.
With the score 8-106 captain Hatton turned to the one we call Ropey to finish the game and finish the game he did, taking 2 quick wickets.
With that win Corowa sit third with Tallangatta away next week a win could really propel them into a top 2 scenario.
B Grade
Corowa was set to host St Pats at the beloved Ball Park on what was set to be a cracking day. With the boys wanting to stay on the winners list they were eager for a good start.
With captain Jeremy Carr losing the toss Corowa was sent out to bowl first on what was a hard wicket.
Corowa’s youthful bowling attack was under pressure early as St Pats openers looked to put the foot down early playing some strong shots before left arm bowler Jacob Fuge got the first breakthrough, having the away team 1/43.
With Daniel Athanitis brought into the attack to change up the pace, he got a quick breakthrough having them 2/46 now.
With Corowa bringing a bit of momentum back after drinks the bowling was tidy creating a steady flow of wickets getting them from 3/90 to 5/119 with Athanitis and Abley bowling well.
Zach Nugent came on for a bowl through some tough overs bowling notably for figures of 3/27 off 5.3 overs and keeping the pressure on the batsmen not giving away many easy runs.
The warm conditions on hand, the boys were switched on and alert in the field with some nice catches being taken and the side fielding very well as a whole.
The innings came to a close to have St Pats all out for 193.
A decent total set to chase, Corowa was still confident it was chaseable with a good batting pitch set in front of them. Young Lane and Keenes opening the batting once again both boys were dismissed without getting off the mark having Corowa 1/1 then 2/1. The ship was steadied with the experienced Jeremy Carr at the crease alongside with Angus Massey, both players were striking the ball well getting the score to 3/63 when Carr fell whilst trying to keep the runs flowing.
This brought inform batsmen Zach Taylor-Nugent the crease who was quickly set and playing his natural game. Angus Massey was dismissed for a well-made 33 taking the score to 4/75 which then brought Daniel Athanitis to the crease.
Nugent kept playing his shots at the crease pushing the score forward, hitting four 4’s and a 6 then leading him to a well-played half century.
With the pitch still playing well Nugent and Athanitis were batting well together playing their shots and keeping Corowa in with a chance to win. Athanitis was batting well and hit a rather large 6 that quickly cleared the fence before he was out for 17 off 16 deliveries.
This brought young Joe Lavis to the crease who quickly got to work getting off the mark. Nugent was still batting well at the other end, and Lavis had intent hitting the ball well before he fell on a well hit ball to a great catch, leaving Corowa 6/152.
Shortly after Zach Taylor-Nugent was caught out for 54 off 72 balls. A knock appreciated by the home crowd. Next in batsmen couldn’t quite find their feet with Corowa losing several quick wickets for minimal runs in the later stages of the game, eventually leading Corowa to be all out for 155 and 38 runs short of victory.
The boys now look to keep improving and get back in the winner’s column next week when they take on Tallangatta again at home.
C Grade
Corowa C Grade (Division 1) moved up to fifth position on the ladder after steamrolling bottom-placed Belvoir on the weekend.
Corowa’s top three bowlers made light work of the home side, skittling them for 25 after setting a target of 147.
Caleb Kuschert smashed the stumps of Belvoir’s two openers as the paceman marched to 5/11 from seven.
Cody Kuschert, in just seven balls, took three wickets for no runs conceded via his mix of speed and steepling bounce while swingman Danny Osborne netted 2/13 from his five.
Earlier, Lachie Raggett (19) and Caleb Kuschert (33) got things moving at the top of the order, Kuschert now averaging 26 from his last three innings.
Osborne and Cody Kuschert delivered a handy 33-run partnership in the middle stages before the clean-hitting Marty Douglas (24) lifted Corowa to a respectable score.
“We probably let ourselves down with our batting … but our bowling and fielding was exceptional,” Corowa skipper Blayre Smith said.
“As a group I think we’re finally coming to understand that we’re more than capable.”
Corowa host rival finals aspirant Lavington at Morris Park this Saturday.
Under 16s
The Under 16s took on St Pats White on Friday at Ball Park. It was their first game back this year after a solid couple months break.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Tyler Abley and Brodie Eyers got the team off to a flyer. Tyler then departed for 10. Joe Lavis joined Brodie out in the middle. The pair wasted no time smacking the St Pats attack all over the park.
Joe hit the ball hard making a quick fire 40 before being struck on the pad given lbw. That didn’t stop Brodie as he made a fine 50 not out. Brodie and Joe set the standard with the bat. Benji Hanrahan also joined in on the fun making a quick 20 before being run out late in the innings putting the team first.
The danger duo archie Bedford and Levi Phibbs finished off the innings. Corowa made 144 off their 20 overs which was a huge total.
Jack Torney and Austin Ross-Anderson bowled perfectly up front putting pressure on the opposition. Jack took the first wicket ripping out off stump.
Shortly after Eli Lavis created a run out with a direct hit. Levi Phibbs was the leading wicket taker as he had 2 dismissals.
Leroy Chester, Benji Hanrahan, Jack Torney and Tyler Abley all picked up a wicket each. The boys took 4 run outs as the bowling pressure proved too much. St Pats were bowled out for 52 runs. Everyone played their role in which was a close to perfect game for the boys on Friday night.
The under 16s take on Wodonga Raiders at home next week in a top of the table clash.
Under 14s Div 1
After moving grounds due to a leaking sprinkler head, captain Eli Lavis won the toss and elect to bowl. From the first ball the star-studded Corowa bowling attack had the better on their opponents restricting Wodonga Raiders to 57 of their 20 overs. Special mention to Harry Norman 1/7 off 3 overs, Will Forrest 1/6 off 3 overs and Jacob Wilson 0/6 off 3 overs.
Eli Lavis and Riley Barber opened the batting for Corowa making the required runs inside 10 overs and unfortunately for them they were forced to retire, another 50 for Eli nipped in the bud. Blake Collins made a brisk 20no ably supported by 12 from Franklin as Corowa finished their 20 overs at 5 for 101.
Under 14s Div 2
No report
Under 12s White
Corowa White went up against Corowa Blue this week in the first game back. Blue won the toss and elected to field. Turned out to be a good move as White lost 4 early wickets.
It was a battle to try and get the innings going with runs hard to come by but Jaxon Collins batted solid to retire along with Ollie Bedford holding an end up to get the team through the whole 20 overs where they finished at 8/59. Run scorers were Archie Rhodes 12, Cal Corcoran 11, Jaxon Collins 8 and Kasey Rhodes 7.
Heading into bowl with such a small total to defend was never going to be easy and Blue rounded the total fairly quickly. Some great individual bowling efforts though George Smith 2 for 3, Fin Douglas 1 for 3 and Cal Corcoran and Ollie Bedford both 1 for 5. Hopefully back on the winner’s board next week against Albury.
Under 12s Blue
It was the Corowa derby Friday night with both looking to cement their spots in the top four.
The bat flip was won by Blue and Abe and Jagger sent White in. In a change up, Jacko Barber opened the bowling instead of keeping the first ten overs. The lad took his chance and took three for two off his two overs. All of the boys bowled tight lines and restricted White to 59 all out. Lucas, Darcy and Abe chimed in with a wicket each and Leo and Darcy both affected direct hit run outs. Jacko Collins batted superbly to help the White side post a score.
The Blue boys batted positively from the first over. Some strong hitting along with smart running between wickets saw the score tick over and at the drinks break, the boys had made 61. The White boys stuck to the task after 18 overs had us bowled out for 73. Jacko (18 retired) Ollie (16 retired) Jagger (12) and Abe (10) made double figures. George took two wickets with one each to Ollie, Kasey, Callan and Finley.
Under 12s Div 2
Baranduda White forfeited as they didn’t have enough players.
The Club would like to acknowledge our sponsors for this season, Corowa Curtains and Décor, 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.