Corowa Cricket’s A Grade side faced East Albury at Alexandra Park on Saturday but couldn’t chase down 169 after a rollercoaster day of bowling highlights and batting woes.
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After losing yet another toss, the boys were sent into bowl first on a good-looking pitch with a fast outfield.
A loose start saw East Albury move to 0–34, finding that pace on the ball was easier to score from. Blake Elliot then struck twice in two balls in the eighth over, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick.
Just seven balls later, Jay Lavis made another breakthrough, swinging the momentum Corowa’s way at 3–37.
A steady flow of runs followed, until a Lavis short ball produced one of the moments of the day, Mark Athanitis chesting, head-butting and finally shoulder-charging the ball before completing a remarkable catch.
Runs and wickets continued to trade hands for the remainder of the innings, with Tyler Abley and Athanitis demonstrating excellent partnership bowling.
The pair claimed five wickets between them, with Abley finishing with 2–23 off nine overs and Athanitis 3–20 from his nine.
Despite a few late boundaries, Corowa bowled East Albury out for a very chaseable 169. Lavis closed with 3–23 off eight overs, while Elliot claimed 2–31 from his 10.
Corowa’s chase began steadily before the first wicket fell in the ninth over, with the score at 27. A collapse of 3–13 followed, before Lavis and Ben Fulford steadied the innings.
Lavis eventually fell for 19, leaving Corowa at 5–87. From there, no one was able to provide support, with Fulford stranded at the other end as the final five wickets fell for just 13 runs.
Corowa were bowled out for 100, with Fulford’s determined 46 ending when he was caught attempting to lift the run rate in what proved too big a chase.
The boys now face Lavington this Saturday at Ball Park as they look to redeem themselves against a solid opponent.
B Grade
Corowa's B Grade team has cemented their position on the ladder, moving up to third place after securing their fifth consecutive victory, defeating East Albury by 42 runs at Ball Park.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat, Corowa was keen to post a strong score.
Openers Blake Keenes and Daniel Athanitis provided an excellent platform, combining for a 41-run stand before Keenes departed for 11 in the eighth over. Athanitis (27) followed shortly after, leaving Corowa steady at 2 for 48.
The middle order then took control. Jesse Moloney, in his first innings of the season, showed fantastic touch, aggressively smashing seven boundaries on his way to a quick 30 before he was unfortunately run out with the score on 92.
Michael Drew (31) and Jack Eales (33) moved the score past the century mark with a crucial partnership.
Despite a late innings collapse that saw Corowa lose 4 wickets for just 15 runs, Aaron Phibbs (17) provided the final push, helping the team reach a competitive total of 180.
The bowlers immediately put East Albury under severe pressure. Young gun Eli Lavis made an immediate impact, collecting a wicket in the very first over.
Blake Keenes maintained the pressure, quickly adding his first dismissal. When both bowlers secured their second wicket, Corowa was firmly on top, with East Albury reeling at 4 for 37.
Jesse Moloney continued his stellar game, tearing through the middle order with three quick wickets to leave the opposition struggling at 7 for 80.
A frustrating partnership developed as East Albury fought back, pushing the total to 120, before Daniel Athanitis secured the much-needed breakthrough.
Lavis was then recalled to finish the job, and he did so in spectacular fashion, taking two wickets in two balls to dismiss East Albury for 138.
Lavis was the star with the ball, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 19 off 5.3 overs. He was ably supported by Moloney (3 for 25) and Keenes (2 for 27).
Corowa will look to extend their winning streak when they take on Lavington at Lavington this Saturday.
C Grade Div 1
Corowa C-Grade (Division 1) has consolidated its top-two position after grinding out a 31-run win against Lavington at South Corowa on Saturday.
In a many-contributors performance, Corowa posted 166 before being dismissed with one ball to spare in the innings with in-form pair Greg Burgess (45) and Karvan Silva (28) the key contributors.
Burgess hit six fours in his knock while Silva’s five boundaries included a six.
Corowa also had a spread of small contributions, with five other batsmen making between 10 and 20, John Conroy and Danny Osborne (both 16) the best of that bunch.
Scott Collins soaked up some deliveries and avoided a duck in his first appearance on a cricket field since around the turn of the century while juniors debutant Archie Rhodes came on late and impressively battered his only ball faced to long-on for a single.
It was a tense defence with Lavington’s upper order looking dangerous, Burgess and Osborne claiming the first two wickets as the visitors raced to 2-73.
But then the match swung when another juniors debutant, Rusty Collins, held onto a catch at cover off the bowling of Cody Kuschert to remove Lavington’s dangerous opener for 47.
Wickets fell regularly from then with Corowa taking control, skipper Blayre Smith at one stage with three scalps for no runs before the offie finished with 4/20.
Cody Kuschert (2/15) was the next best, his other wicket a nice caught-and-bowled.
Rhodes claimed a catch as the juniors continued to go at a 100% catching rate, younger brother Jake was also lively in the field.
To continue the positive effort in the field, keeper Oliver Collins sprinted from his position to take a commanding skied catch at mid-wicket while Osborne, Kuschert and Smith also held on to chances.
In a hard-fought match, the biggest highlight came with the last ball of the day, with a diving Burgess getting one hand between the grass and the ball at slip to ice a classic game of cricket.
C Grade Div 2
Corowa won the toss and decided to bat. They were coming off some great wins, and that was due to some brilliant batting from Don (Bradman) Anic.
Micka Collins and Jase Raggett opened the batting to start us off, when shortly after Rags fell for six, he told his story with what happened while walking, which was very entertaining. Then in came youngster Ollie Mathews, who was making his C2 debut.
Things were looking sharp until Mathews went back to the sheds for a solid three. Here we go, the big Don Anic was set for a field day to keep his ton streak running smoothly.
The two put together a nice innings, building a partnership of 82 to settle the spooked batters sitting in the sheds. 20 overs came, and Don Anic was sweating because of his brilliance, and Collins was sweating for absolutely nothing as he was on 17 off 46 balls.
One over past drinks and Don Anic made his respective 50, but a couple of balls later so-called Don Anic tried to be a hero and send a kid for six, the big bully, but was out due to a screamer of a catch. But the team reckons he had done enough and came off the had a feed and a few Gatorades.
Next in came Jacko Barber, who got stumped due to some quick reaction time from the keeper.
Next came George, who was building a very nice partnership with Collins until Collins went for the big swing but got a little snick on it, and the keeper caught him out. George put together a nice 20*.
Now the bowling innings. Gun C2 bowler Clark bowled a very tidy over to start the side off.
Next over brought in Ty Stanton, who cannot bowl to save his life, had his first over carted for 17 with three wides and a couple of boundaries.
By the sixth over, things were looking great as Kiewa were 2-26 with Clarke getting both wickets and Ty doing stuff all. 10 overs gone with Kiewa 3-46 had them in all sorts as Ty needed a break and called in Mathews to have a trundle.
Clark bowled eight overs straight and had a very nice spell with 2-14 and three maidens.
Jacko was then handed the ball and finished up with a nice 1-17 of 3 overs.
Next up came the Mr who can do everything, Mick (who can do everything) was on a hat-trick at one stage, but Alex Lavis spoiled the party and dropped an absolute sitter. Collins finished with 4-5 off 2 overs.
Corowa won the game by 114 runs to get Kiewa all out for 85.
Our so-called gun Closter was not missed at all and can stay in Adelaide as we will not ever need him again.
Under 16s
Corowa's Under 16s have stormed to three wins from three starts this season, achieving a comprehensive 116-run victory over Baranduda at Ball Park.
Defending the challenging total of 8 for 221 set the previous Friday night, the Corowa bowlers delivered a perfect start, immediately putting Baranduda on the back foot.
Eli Lavis and Lenny Power tore through the top order, each claiming an early wicket to leave the visitors struggling at 2 for 9. Power soon collected his second, and Corowa was well on top with the score 3 for 22.
The pressure intensified when Will Forrest secured the crucial wicket of Baranduda's key batter, Bowles, leaving the innings in tatters at 4 for 26. Poppy Collins joined the wicket-takers as Baranduda slumped to 5 for 39.
Baranduda managed to show some resistance, moving the score to 75 before Jake Witherden broke the partnership. The final four wickets fell quickly, with the spin twins doing the damage Callan Corcoran (2 for 2) and Harry Norman (2 for 13)
Corowa bowled Baranduda out for 105, sealing the dominant 116-run win. Lenny Power was highly economical and effective, finishing with excellent figures of 2 for 14.
The undefeated Under 16s side will look to continue their stellar form next Friday when they travel to Albury to take on East Albury White.
Under 14’s Div 1
The Corowa Under-14s went into the weekend’s clash determined to defend their impressive total of 242 — and they did just that with a disciplined and united bowling display.
In true team spirit, every player was given the opportunity to roll the arm over.
The breakthrough came when Abe Spencer claimed the first wicket of the innings, thanks to a sharp and well-judged catch from Cal Corcoran that set the tone for the fielding effort.
Corowa continued to apply pressure as Oli Matthews and Jackson Barber each picked up important wickets, helping to slow East Albury’s chase.
Cal Corcoran, backing up his earlier catch, delivered a tidy six-over spell and was rewarded with a wicket of his own.
Despite some resistance from the East Albury batters, Corowa’s bowlers maintained their composure and consistency, ultimately restricting the opposition to 196 runs, securing a solid team victory.
Under 14’s Div 2
Report not submitted.
Under 12’s Div 1
The team travelled up to Wodonga this week to take on the Wodonga Bulldogs. Winning the toss, we elected to bat first, but an unexpected bumpy start meant the boys had their work cut out for them. Despite the early pressure, our leading run scorers were Oscar Amor (15), Jake Rhodes (13) and Bill Smith (11), helping us reach a total of 67 before being bowled out.
With the ball in hand, the boys came out firing in redemption. Tyler Mullavery set the tone early with two fierce opening wickets. He was soon backed up by Hugh Hicks, who claimed another breakthrough with Tyler taking a solid catch in the field.
A ripper grab from wicketkeeper Kobe Raggett off the bowling of Bill Smith added to the momentum, lifting the team again.
From there, Ollie Bedford stepped up with two epic wickets to tighten the contest.
Finally, Oscar Amor and Zach Playford each chimed in with a wicket of their own to close out the innings.
It came down to a close finish, but the team showed grit, energy and real improvement in the field. With plenty to take away, the boys will reset and refocus ahead of Tuesday’s training as we prepare to face a top-of-the-ladder opponent at home on Friday night.
Under 12’s Div 2 White
Had the Bye.
Under 12’s Div 2 Blue
Report not submitted.
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, Greenacres Motel, 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.