New recruit Cal Langlands defends the ball. Langlands finished with 28 runs and two wickets against Wodonga on Saturday. Photo: Rob Lacey.
Corowa Cricket Club’s senior grade’s revamped line-up failed to fire as they went down by six wickets to Wodonga at Les Cheesley Oval in the season opener on Saturday.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
With three debutants — Callum Langlands, Ben Fulford and Blake Elliott — in the side, captain Ben Mitchell lost the toss and was sent into bat first.
Mitchell and Joe Lavis opened the innings, but the skipper was dismissed first ball. Lavis and Langlands steadied the innings, pushing the score to 57 before Lavis fell for 27. Langlands followed soon after for 28, leaving the Roos vulnerable at 3/62.
Jarred Lane flicks the ball legside on his way to 14 runs. Photo: Rob Lacey.
Ben Fulford (16) and Jarred Lane (14) made promising starts, but their quick dismissals saw Corowa slump to 5/96.
The lower order struggled to make an impact, with three ducks contributing to a disappointing total of 138. Jay Lavis was the standout with the bat late in the innings, finishing unbeaten on 28.
Defending a modest total, Blake Elliott made a dream start, removing Tom Johnson with the first ball of the innings.
Nick Grant backed it up, dismissing the other opener to have Wodonga reeling at 2/7.
Wodonga counter-attacked quickly, but when Langlands snared two quick wickets, Corowa had a glimmer of hope with the visitors at 4/55. However, Jack Craig and Jack Gilbee saw Wodonga home comfortably, chasing down the target in just 23 overs to finish at 4/141.
Langlands was the pick of the bowlers with 2/28 from six overs, while Elliott impressed on debut with 1/19 from five.
Blake Elliott and Cal Langlands impressed in their debut for the Roos.
With a tough match ahead against North Albury at Bunton Park this Saturday where a few new recruits take on their old side, the Roos will be looking for a stronger showing with the bat.
B Grade narrowly beaten
Captain Jeremy Carr won the toss and elected to bat, opening the innings alongside newcomer Lenny Power. The pair got Corowa off to a flying start, adding 38 in quick time before Power was dismissed for 14.
The momentum slowed as Kade Wilson and Zac Taylor-Nugent fell in quick succession, leaving Corowa at 3/62. Carr continued to anchor the innings, bringing up a well-made half-century. However, Wodonga’s spinners turned the tide, triggering a collapse that saw Corowa lose 4 wickets for just 12 runs. Carr was among those dismissed, falling for a valuable 56.
Caleb Kuschert added some late spark with a quickfire 30, supported by Harry Norman, who remained unbeaten on 9. The pair added 39 for the eighth wicket, but the tail couldn’t hold on, and Corowa were bowled out for 140 with 8.3 overs remaining.
With ball in hand, Eli Lavis made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with his second delivery and then removing the other opener to leave Wodonga struggling at 2/6. Lavis struck again shortly after to have the visitors 3/29, putting Corowa in a strong position.
However, a series of missed chances in the field allowed Wodonga to recover, pushing the score to 3/90 before Kade Wilson broke the partnership. At 4/120 with six overs remaining, Wodonga looked in control — but Corowa's Under 16 duo had other ideas.
Lenny Power made a big impression with the ball, claiming three quick wickets, while Lavis returned to snare his fourth. Suddenly, Wodonga were 8/137 with just two overs to go.
Despite the late surge, Wodonga held their nerve and chased down the target with 10 balls to spare.
Eli Lavis was outstanding with the ball, finishing with 4/18 from nine overs, while Power impressed with 3/22 off four.
Corowa B Grade will look to bounce back when they take on North Albury this Saturday, once again at Ball Park.
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, Terry White Chemist, O’Connors, Balldale Hotel, Federation Steel, Collins Transport, BJ Hanrahan Family Trust, Thrifty, Corowa Furnishing and Floors, Wiesners, VK Logic, Wodonga Pneumatics, Back on Track Physiotherapy, Corowa Curtain & Decor, Corowa Meats, TH Kitchens Joinery, KB Wilson Seeds & Corowa RSL Club.