Corowa Cricket Club welcomed new First Grade coach Tim Hartshorn on Saturday in their opening round match against East Albury.
A beautiful spring day greeted Corowa’s A Grade side in Albury on Saturday as they opened their Provincial cricket campaign.
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With two debutants, a new skipper and a side full of youth, Corowa arrived eager to make a statement.
While the visitors ultimately fell short, they left East Albury with plenty of optimism and excitement for what lies ahead this season.
East Albury batted first and made a solid start, with veteran Brett Davies looking to attack and classy batsman Alex Hinkley settling in nicely.
Punishing anything short or loose, the home side raced to 0/49 before NSW Under-17s allrounder Joe Lavis removed Davies LBW for 22.
The very next ball, East Albury’s number three Jack Hogan chose not to offer a shot and was struck on the knee roll by Lavis, only for the appeal to be turned down on height.
Hogan made the most of his reprieve, going on to score 26 and combining with Hinkley for a 57-run second-wicket partnership.
Hinkley continued to go about his business with class and poise, anchoring the East Albury innings.
Just as it looked like the game might get away from Corowa, the introduction of Tyler Abley halted the momentum, with the youngster claiming three wickets in three overs, including the prized scalp of Hinkley for a well-compiled 85.
Corowa fought their way back into the contest, and at 6/178 looked to have East Albury on track for a total around the 210 mark.
To East Albury’s credit, Mathew Edwards and Matthew Green combined for a valuable 57-run seventh-wicket partnership, helping the home side finish strongly at 7/245 from their 50 overs.
Abley was the pick of the Corowa bowlers, finishing with an impressive 3/29.
Debutants Ried McNamara and Nick Oliver opened their accounts for Corowa on the weekend against East Albury.
In reply, Corowa’s chase got off to the worst possible start, with the early wickets of Joe Lavis and new recruit Reid McNamara leaving the visitors in trouble at 2/19.
Opener Blake Keenes looked impressive during his innings of 33, while new skipper Ben Fulford showed good signs with 28.
Unfortunately, both were unable to kick on after making starts, leaving Corowa at 4/71 with plenty of work to do.
New father Cal Langlands held the middle order together and, when Jack Eales joined him at 5/101, the game quickly began to shift.
The pair scored freely, with Eales showcasing his enormous potential in a superb run-a-ball half-century.
If that performance is anything to go by, it certainly won’t be his last milestone in the top grade this season.
Langlands also brought up his half-century as Corowa began to look increasingly capable of pulling off a remarkable run chase.
With the pair building momentum, the visitors appeared well placed to cause an upset.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, with Corowa eventually bowled out for 197 in 40.4 overs.
Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for the young Corowa side to take away from the opening round.
With a few experienced faces still to return and encouraging signs from several of the younger players, the first win of the season may not be far away.
The boys will now turn their attention to next week’s clash with Baranduda, where they’ll be looking to turn those promising signs into four points.
B Grade Opens Season with Convincing Win
Corowa Rutherglen's B Grade side has kicked off the season in style, recording a five-wicket victory over East Albury at Ball Park.
Fielding a youthful line-up under new captain Kade Wilson, the Roos lost the toss and were sent into the field.
It didn't take long for the bowlers to make an impact, with Ethan Lane striking early and Nathan Anic producing a superb catch from just the third ball of the innings.
Lane and Jay Lavis were outstanding with the new ball, each claiming two wickets while also combining in a run out as East Albury slumped to 5-22.
Making his return to the bowling crease after an 18-month break, Angus Williams chipped in with a wicket to leave the visitors 6-34.
East Albury managed to push the score to 66 before young guns Callan Corcoran and Wil Forrest wrapped up the innings, bowling the visitors out for 68.
Corcoran finished with excellent figures of 2-6, while Forrest and Lavis both returned 2-12. Lane also claimed two wickets, finishing with 2-16.
Chasing 69 for victory, Lenny Power ensured there would be no dramas, blasting seven boundaries in a rapid innings of 49.
Power dominated scoring before becoming the first wicket to fall with the score at 58.
Corowa briefly lost four quick wickets, but Corcoran calmly guided the side home, with the Roos reaching the target in the 14th over to seal an impressive opening-round victory.
The B Grade side will look to make it two wins from two when they host Baranduda at Ball Park this Saturday.
The Club would like to acknowledge sponsors for the 2026/27 season, A & A Auto, Davidson White Accountants, John Rhodes Bricklaying, Waldrons Fresh on River, Kilara Group, Rivalea, Terry White Chemist, O’Connors, Federation Steel, Collins Transport, Greenacres Motel, Corowa Furnishing and Floors, Wiesners, First Scaff, Naubro, Back on Track Physiotherapy, Corowa Curtain & Decor, Corowa Meats, TH Kitchens Joinery, KB Wilson Seeds & Club Corowa.
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