After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Corowa worked hard for its 242 all out from 49.5 overs. While no batter went on to make a half-century, valuable contributions throughout the order ensured the visitors posted a challenging total.
Openers Blake Keenes (26 from 41 balls) and Joe Lavis (28 from 31) laid a solid platform before Jarred Lane continued the momentum with 23. Ben Fulford battled hard for his 20 from 43 deliveries, while Callum Langlands provided some impetus through the middle order with a brisk 19 from 19 balls.
The innings was held together late by Reid McNamara and Ethan Lane. McNamara compiled a valuable 29 from 35 balls, while Lane anchored the back end of the innings superbly, remaining unbeaten on 45 from 75 deliveries. His calm presence allowed Corowa to bat deep into the innings and push beyond the 240-mark.
Blake Elliott then provided a late spark, smashing 25 from just 22 balls, including two towering sixes in the closing overs, helping Corowa finish with a highly competitive total.
Defending 242, Corowa's bowlers immediately put Baranduda under pressure. Eli Lavis struck in just the second over, removing Sebastian McKenna to have the hosts 1/5.
The breakthrough was followed by a relentless bowling performance. Blake Elliott was outstanding with the new ball, finishing with 1/23 from his eight overs while creating constant pressure. Eli Lavis backed him up superbly with 1/19 from five overs, while Joe Lavis delivered six miserly overs that cost just 14 runs.
A highlight of the afternoon was the A Grade debut of Jack Torney. The youngster showed tremendous composure, bowling three tidy overs and claiming his maiden A Grade wicket when Luke Lund was caught by Reid McNamara. Torney also featured in a run out to cap an impressive first appearance at the level.
With Baranduda attempting to rebuild, Nick Oliver turned the game decisively in Corowa's favour. His economical spell of 2/17 from five overs removed batters Walter Bowles and Fletcher Carter, leaving the home side struggling to keep pace with the required rate.
Mark Athanitis contributed two economical overs and the Corowa fielders continued to support their bowlers brilliantly, with sharp work in the field producing multiple run outs and wicketkeeping opportunities.
The finishing touch came from Callum Langlands, who capped off an excellent all-round performance with outstanding figures of 3/19 from 4.5 overs. The leg-spinner was particularly damaging late in the innings, claiming three wickets including the final dismissal, while wicketkeeper Ben Fulford completed two sharp stumpings.
Baranduda was eventually bowled out for 113 in 34.5 overs, handing Corowa a dominant victory.
Next week see’s Corowa take on the undefeated Tallangatta at Ball Park Oval.
B Grade
B Grade suffered a 111-run defeat against Baranduda at Ball Park on Saturday.
With five players unavailable from the previous week's match, captain Kade Wilson won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Will Forrest provided the perfect start for Corowa, claiming a wicket in the opening over. Veteran Aaron Phibbs then made an impressive return from retirement, taking the second wicket with Baranduda at 2/29.
A smart bowling change by Wilson paid immediate dividends when Mick Drew claimed his first wicket for Corowa, thanks to a fine boundary catch from Harry Norman.
Corowa's bowlers struggled for consistency throughout the game, conceding too many extras as Baranduda progressed to 124 before a run out provided the next breakthrough.
Wilson then struck with his very first delivery, courtesy of a well-disguised full toss, and when another run out followed, Baranduda had slipped to 6/147.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Baranduda were able to bat through their allotted 45 overs, finishing on 8/192.
Harry Norman was the standout bowler, conceding just 19 runs from his nine overs. Phibbs finished with 2/25 from nine overs, while Drew collected 2/41.
In reply, Jeremy Carr got Corowa off to a positive start, racing to 15 before becoming the first wicket to fall with the score on 20.
Austin Ross-Anderson (10), Michael Drew (4) and Nathan Anic (5) all departed cheaply, leaving Corowa struggling at 4/46.
Wilson (17) and Norman (15) steadied the innings and added valuable runs, taking the score to 72.
However, Corowa's innings unravelled from there, losing their final six wickets for just nine runs to be dismissed for 81.
Corowa will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Tallangatta.
C-Grade (Division 1)
Three-wicket hauls to quicks Danny Osborne and Greg Burgess guided Corowa C-Grade (Division 1) to a comfortable opening round victory on Saturday.
Corowa were in control for much of the match against Albury after Osborne (3/20) claimed the first via a nice catch by Mitch Ladd, backpedalling at mid-off.
Catches to John Conroy (point) and Karvan Silva (cover) continued the neat performance as Corowa started the season on fire in the field.
Keeper Baxter Macfarlane pocketed two behind the stumps, one a speccy diving down leg-side, while Osborne and newcomer Bryce Kenny also held onto chances to help bundle the visitors out for 116.
Ladd claimed two wickets with his medium-pacers while quicks Cody and Judd Kuschert chimed in each for one.
In the chase, openers Silva (22) and Burgess (19) got the side off to a good start with Ladd (top-scoring with 28) and Conroy (22) keeping the momentum rolling as the side charged towards the target – Ladd heaving two maximums on the way.
In his return to the club, Matt Shipard (15*) and Macfarlane (4*) mopped up the remaining runs with 16 overs and six wickets to spare, earning the side an early finish and putting a round-one grin on skipper Blayre Smith’s face.
All other grades get underway this weekend.
