Before the toss, before the whites were even properly adjusted, Corowa A Grade had already laid down a marker.
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The warm-up featured what can only be described as the finest game of TED ball the Corowa Cricket Club has ever produced.
Intensity was high, rules were flexible, and several players were already appealing. The tone was well and truly set.
When the real cricket began, Corowa doubled down on that energy, opting to bowl first and sending Baranduda in, a clear sign they liked what they saw overhead and underfoot.
From ball one, Corowa’s bowlers were disciplined and relentless.
Nick Grant struck early, removing Sebastian McKenna and later Hunter Ryan, while keeping things miserly at one end.
Eli Lavis matched him perfectly, claiming two wickets and conceding just 12 runs from his spell. The squeeze was on.
The standout, however, was Blake Elliott.
Recently returned from Japan and showing absolutely no signs of jet lag, Elliott hit the perfect lengths and ripped through the middle order, finishing with an outstanding four wickets.
It was fast, sharp, and thoroughly unpleasant for the batters, the kind of spell that makes you reconsider your stance, your grip, and possibly your life choices.
Baranduda never really recovered. Aidan Ryan showed resistance with a well-made 26, and Terry Reckless chipped in with 19, but wickets fell steadily.
Corowa’s fielding backed up the bowlers, and Baranduda were eventually dismissed for 108, a total that always felt just short of where they wanted to be.
Chasing 109, Corowa approached the task with calm assurance.
Blake Keenes got the innings moving early, while Joe Lavis kept things ticking before falling.
From there, Jarred Lane took control, anchoring the chase with a composed, unbeaten 46, mixing patience with well-timed boundaries.
Ben Fulford provided the perfect support act, finishing not out on 18 and ensuring there were no late nerves.
Corowa passed the target comfortably with eight wickets in hand and plenty of overs remaining, making it a complete performance with bat and ball.
Corowa will play New City at Urana Rd which will once again be a big game for the 1st grade boys as they look to break into the top 6.
B Grade
Corowa B Grade secured a convincing 7-wicket victory over Baranduda this past weekend, overcoming an early Baranduda surge to chase down their target with ease.
Losing the toss, Corowa was asked to bowl first and some lose bowling saw Baranduda race to 29 before Zac Taylor-Nugent collected the first wicket.
Taylor-Nugent was rewarded for a good spell collecting the second wicket as Baranduda looked in a strong position at the first drinks break being 2 for 60 off 15 overs.
The Corowa bowlers lifted their game with Jack Eales bowling a great spell taking 2 for 23 off 9 overs while Lenny Power was also good taking 1 for 14 off 5 overs.
At 5 for 135 Baranduda still looked in a strong position, but a run out to Ethan Lane, and then three quick wickets to Lane changed the game Corowa’s way as Corowa bowled out Baranduda for 138 with Lane finishing with the good figures of 3 for 16.
In reply Corowa cruised to the total.
Dan Athanitis and Lenny Power put on 63 for the first wicket before Athanitis went for 31.
Power was out shortly after for a well-made 36 with Corowa 2 for 71.
Kade Wilson and Austin Ross-Anderson used the time in the middle well pushing the score to 138 before Wilson was out for 27.
Ross-Anderson hit the winning runs in the next over to finish 29 not out as Corowa made the score in the 29th over.
The side takes on New City at Ball Park this Saturday.
C Grade Div 1
A trio of half-centuries saw Corowa C-Grade (Division 1) post its largest total for several years as they defeated East Albury to retain second spot.
John Conroy (66, 11 fours), Caleb Kushcert (57, nine boundaries with two sixes) and Max Groenewald (50* at a strike rate of more than 200 per cent) guided the home side to 269 from 40 overs on a slick Morris Park outfield.
Conroy’s wagon wheel was dominated by shots through point and cover while Kuschert went to all parts as the opener posted his second half-century in a row and third for the season.
But the top order duo were overshadowed by Groeneweld’s spectacular late-order knock, the No.9 more resembling a man on the driving range than at the crease as he hit three sixes among nine boundaries.
While balls-faced wasn’t recorded, the consensus was it was less than 25 with pulls over square-leg and inside-out drives over cover.
But the straight hits were the most spectacular, the best a low maximum that pitched on the Brocklesby Street bitumen.
Danny Osborne (24*), Baxter Macfarlane (19) and Karvan Silva (18) also made contributions, each finding the boundary three times, as the side racked up a 35 fours and fives sixes from 40 overs.
A clean pick-up but wayward throw from Conroy with a clever flick onto the stumps from wicketkeeper Macfarlane had East Albury 1/1 and the visitors never threatened as they were bowled out for 178.
Spinners Karvan Silva (2/28) and Blayre Smith (2/32) led the wicket-takers, both snaffling sharp caught and bowleds above their heads, Silva with two hands out in front like a Charlie Curnow lead and Smith elevating with one paw akin to a Muggsy Bogue’s layup.
The side’s best outfield catch, Cody Kuscert, held onto two more while Macfarlane added a stumping and a catch to cap a good team performance.
C Grade Div 2
Corowa’s favourite C grade side travelled to Lavington to face the only side that has beaten them this year.
Jacked captain Closter was late due to some sketchy navigation work from a confused Collins but in typical fashion the boys lost the toss and were sent into the field.
On what must be the smallest ground in the competition the boys were going to have to bowl tight, but Stanton must have missed that memo as he proceeded to bowl absolute trash allowing the openers to get off to a good start.
Specialist fielder Nic the baseballer must have also missed the team meeting about keeping the score down as he managed to leak runs in the field at an alarming rate.
He did however provide a rocket arm from the deep to create a potential run out opportunity, but young Rhylee Barber tried to catch the ball with his face rather than his hands and had to leave the ground with a busted nose.
The crafty Closter closing out his over, bowling 3 spells for the day in a vintage performance. Clarky bowled a fantastic spell as per usual, Playford was average at best.
173 was never going to be enough and Collins had a sneaky feeling they would open with either juniors or geriatrics so before there could even be a discussion he was padded up and waiting in the middle.
He must have had a runner early at Flemington as he smashed 55 off 22 before getting bored and hitting one straight up in the air.
Jordy Wilson had been batting well in the nets so was trialled at first drop for the first and last time, back to 8 next week for the genuine C Grader.
Jono Perry batted well for 44 to all but ice the game but it was under 14’s superstar Jacko Barber showing his older brother how it’s done.
Batting with all the grace and skill Collins could only dream of he worked the gaps to edge close to his maiden senior 50 but Anic was having none of it farming the strike and leaving the youngster on 49*.
Whisper is he now carries a calculator in his pocket to work his average out from the non-striker’s end. He now refuses to buy a beer, according to him anyone averaging over 110 should have to buy their own.
A great day for the team as they rocket towards the final’s series.
Join the Roos next week for a top of the table clash with St Pats in what could be an early grand final preview. As always, bring your whites in case we are short.
Under 16s
The Corowa Under 16s maintained their winning streak with a commanding 69-run win over St Patricks.
A massive middle-order partnership and a suffocating bowling performance proved too much for the opposition T20 game.
Sent into bat first, Corowa found themselves in a steady, if slightly precarious, position at 3/51 after 9 overs following the dismissals of Lenny Power (21), Austin Ross-Anderson (12), and Aiden Wintle (8).
However, the game shifted gears completely when Eli Lavis and Harry Norman joined forces. The pair dismantled the St Patricks attack, adding a blistering 97 runs in just 10 overs.
Eli Lavis put on a clinic, retiring on 50 from just 36 balls (including 4 fours and a six) while Harry Norman finished unbeaten on 44 from 31 balls, finding the boundary 7 times.
Corowa closed their 20 overs at a formidable 3/154.
The defence started perfectly as opening bowlers Eli Lavis and Will Forrest struck early, leaving St Patricks reeling at 2/8.
Corowa’s change bowlers gave the batsmen no room to breathe with Charlie Hall taking 2/3, Aiden Wintle bowling well with 1/5, Rhylee Barber taking 1/7 and Jake Witherden taking 1/8 to keep the pressure high.
St Patricks were restricted to just 7/85 by the end of their 20 overs, falling well short of the target.
The boys face a major test this week as they transition from the T20 format to a longer game, taking on the second placed East Albury in a 40 over affair starting this Friday at Ball Park.
Under 14’s Div 1
After winning the toss, Corowa elected to bat and made their intentions clear despite an early setback.
Cal and Jagger were both dismissed cheaply, but it only brought Archie Rhodes to the crease, and he wasted no time shifting momentum.
Rhodes played with confidence and freedom, retiring not out on a classy 32*.
Blaire Livingston-Laing added valuable runs in the middle order with a composed 16 before being run out, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
The real acceleration came late, with Abe Spencer and Oliver Matthews taking the attack to Wodonga’s bowlers.
The pair batted aggressively, both retiring not out — Spencer on 30* and Matthews on 31* — pushing Corowa to an imposing total of 151.
Defending the target, Corowa struck early. Cal Corcoran claimed a key early wicket, and tight bowling across the innings made scoring difficult for Wodonga from the outset.
Oliver Matthews capped off an excellent day with the ball, finishing with outstanding figures of 2/7. Archie Rhodes added to his batting effort with 1/7, while Jackson Barber was equally economical, taking 1/6.
Wodonga never found the momentum needed for the chase and closed their innings at 6/83 from their 20 overs, well short of Corowa’s total.
Under 14’s Div 2
With the potential to secure a final’s spot the boys met on a sunny Saturday morning to take on St Pats.
Bowling first Closter and Witherden set the tone the former bowling without luck only going for 2 runs, Witherden picking up the first wicket.
Despite bowling the rest of the attack bowling well the away team was able to score regularly and post 76 for Corowa to chase.
Jack Nixon and Ollie Bedford stepping up and bowling incredibly well, But Jack Welsh was the pick bowling 8 dots in a row followed by a wicket with his ninth delivery at the death, fantastic effort and probably the difference in the end.
Nathias Price and Benji Casey opened the batting, but Price fell cheaply which brought Smashed Collins to the crease, he and Casey consolidated for a few overs but at 1/9 off 6 overs the boys were going to have to cash in and it was Casey who put the foot down and flayed the attack to the boundary eventually retiring on 31.
Collins anchored the innings which allowed Lucas Tait to come in and flex his muscles with a dominant 19* hitting the winning runs from the last ball.
Great effort from all the boys, some players sacrificing their natural game for the team win, a great lesson.
Under 12’s Div 1
The Under 12’s Div 1 side returned from the break in great form, recording a convincing nine-wicket win over Wodonga Raiders at home.
After losing the toss and bowling first, Tyler Mullavey starred with three wickets, while Jake Rhodes claimed two wickets and a sharp catch in the field. They were well supported by clean wicketkeeping from Jobe Ollington, with Oscar Amor and Archer Hicks adding a wicket each.
Tex Rhodes also took a brilliant catch to keep the momentum rolling.
In reply, Tyler Mullavey (25) and Jake Rhodes (20) provided a steady start, with Ollie (22) continuing the momentum. Hugh Hicks, Jobe Ollington, and Kobe Raggett added valuable runs to secure a comfortable victory all retired not out.
The win keeps the team on top of the ladder, with exciting times ahead for this talented group of juniors.
Under 12’s Div 2 - White
Corowa White travelled to St Pats' home ground at Ernst Grant Oval for our first game back after the holidays, hoping to continue our winning streak.
Benji Playford captained this week and gave us a great start by winning the toss; we chose to bat first.
The weather was hot, but the team was eager to give their best effort.
Johan and Jack opened the batting, handling some fierce deliveries from the St Pats opening bowlers and setting a solid foundation.
Archer and Moritz followed, building a good partnership. Benji and Tazley came in next and, despite being pinned down by accurate bowling, managed well under pressure. Rory and Lachy Nixon were up next, with Lachy top-scoring at 9 not out.
Albert and Fletcher then contributed to the scoreboard, and finally our new recruit Lauchy Hamilton delivered an impressive performance, hitting multiple shots to the boundary and helping us reach a respectable total of 83 runs.
St Pats had a strong innings with the bat, playing confidently and ultimately won the match with 2/94. It was a challenging day for our bowlers, who took just the two wickets, one each for Lachy Nixon (1/8) and Benji Playford (1/4).
We were a bit unlucky, with several St Pats batters getting hit on the pads. However, it's worth noting that our extras were very low, indicating significant improvement in our bowling since the start of the season.
With four run outs this week, we'll likely focus on running between the wickets in future games. Overall, it was a strong effort from everyone for our first game of 2026.
Under 12’s Div 2 – Blue
Had the bye.
Sponsor acknowledgement
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, First Scaff, Naubro, Back on Track Physiotherapy, Corowa Curtain & Decor, Corowa Meats, TH Kitchens Joinery, KB Wilson Seeds & Corowa RSL Club.