A Grade
In a high-stakes 50-over encounter at Baranduda Fields, Corowa Cricket Club A Grade side saw their finals aspirations take a significant hit.
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With a win essential to keep their post-season chances alive, Corowa fought tooth and nail to defend a total of 170, but Lavington’s lower-order composure ultimately proved the difference.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Corowa knew a big total was required to keep the pressure on.
The innings was a story of grit under pressure, as the Lavington bowlers made Corowa work for every run.
Blake Keenes and Jesse Moloney provided the initial platform.
Moloney looked dangerous, dispatching several boundaries to get the scoreboard moving before falling to Michael Galvin for a well-made 39.
Charlie Hemphrey and Jarred Lane navigated a difficult middle period, but the introduction of Jordan Croker saw Corowa lose momentum.
Croker’s double strike—removing Lane and Callum Langlands—left Corowa in a precarious position.
Understanding the season was on the line, Ben Fulford played a vital, gritty hand.
He anchored the final overs alongside Mark Athanitis, who contributed two crucial boundaries.
Fulford’s fifty pushed the total to 170, giving the bowlers a fighting chance before he was the last man out in the 47th over.
Corowa took to the field with finals-intensity, and Nick Grant ignited hope immediately by removing Jordan Croker in the opening over, courtesy of a sharp catch by Ben Fulford.
Patrick Lavis bowled with exceptional control, trapping Matthew Heagney LBW and removing Samuel Harris to leave Lavington reeling.
At that stage, Corowa’s finals dream looked very much alive.
Chris Galvin and Sam O'Connor staged a match-defining partnership.
While Callum Langlands eventually broke through (caught Moloney), the damage had been done to the required run rate.
Callum Langlands put the team on his back in the latter stages, claiming two more wickets—including Ryan Brown and Tyler Roberson—to set up a tense finale.
Ben Mitchell also joined the party, removing Jarryd Weeding to keep the result in the balance.
Despite Corowa's relentless pressure, Lavington’s Sam O'Connor remained immovable.
He guided the tail through the final overs, eventually sealing the win with a six in the 50th over to officially end Corowa’s finals charge.
It was a case of so near, yet so far for Corowa.
While the bowling unit showed the heart and discipline of a finals-bound team, the lack of a substantial top-order partnership left the bowlers with too much to do.
Corowa will reflect on a season of what ifs, having pushed Lavington to the final over in a match they desperately needed to win.
B Grade
Corowa’s B Grade side turned Ball Park into a fortress on Saturday, dismantling Lavington in a clinical 162-run win.
Despite losing the toss and facing a slow outfield, the home side produced a batting masterclass followed by a bowling blitz that left the visitors with nowhere to hide.
Sent into bat on an outfield made slow by the mid-week rain, Corowa didn't let the conditions dampen their intent.
Joe Lavis and Lenny Power attacked early, racing to 41 within the first six overs before Power departed for 18.
When Michael Drew fell shortly after for two, Corowa sat at a slightly precarious 2/57 in the 10th over.
What followed was the definitive partnership of the match.
Kade Wilson joined Lavis, and the pair proceeded to bat Lavington out of the contest.
With the slow outfield making boundaries hard to come by, the duo displayed elite fitness, turning ones into twos and punishing anything loose.
Joe Lavis played a superb knock of 97 off 102 balls (10 boundaries, 1 six), falling agonizingly short of a century.
Kade Wilson anchored the back end of the innings to finish 97 not out off 117 balls (7 boundaries).
The pair put on a massive 157-run stand, a partnership built on grit and smart strike rotation.
Late contributions from Jeremy Carr (16) and Jack Eales (11*) propelled Corowa to a formidable 5/264 after their 45 overs.
If Lavington thought the hard work was over after 45 overs of fielding, Joe Lavis had other ideas.
Swapping the bat for the new ball, Lavis produced a devastating opening spell that effectively ended the chase before it began.
Lavis ripped through the Lavington top order, taking 4/10 in his first five overs.
His clinical performance left the visitors reeling at 4/37, a hole from which they would never climb out.
Jack Eales bowled well as he collected 3 for 19 off 8 overs to have Corowa completely on top with Lavington 8 for 86.
Harry Norman collected the last two wickets to see Lavington bowled out for 102 in the 29th over.
While it was a heartbreak of sorts to see two batsmen stranded on 97, the team performance was anything but disappointing.
The team travels to take on St Patricks in a high-stakes clash that will likely determine their final ladder position and momentum heading into the finals.
C Grade Div 1
Corowa C-Grade (Division 1) has finished the home-and-away rounds in second and will host a final, despite losing to Baranduda for the second time this season.
Corowa was bundled out for 94 chasing 171, as it continued its zig-zagging form running into the finals.
The bowling performance was laudable, with only a third-wicket partnership of 64 creating some concern before it was broken by a Dan Osborne catch at mid-wicket off the bowling of offspinner Blayre Smith.
Outside of that it was a steady flow of wickets that kept Baranduda to a below-par score, with speedster Caleb Kuschert and junior leg spinner Archie Rhodes both pocketing three wickets.
Swing bowler Osborne (2/23) was also on target while Greg Burgess recorded a ‘catch-trick’ – three catches in slip including two reflex-specials, one low and one high, off the quicks.
A bunch of Corowa batsmen got starts, with the best Baxter Macfarlane (21, including three fours and a six) and Max Groenewald (13*, one four and one six) while four others made 11.
Groenewald looked dangerous again and the thought did cross a few minds that the in-form hitter could plunder a quick 90 off thirty to steal victory – similar to his 50* off sub-25 a few weeks earlier – but he ran out of partners.
C Grade Div 2
The last round of the year was our C2 legends against the umpires for a third time this year.
Winning the toss and batting it was the scorer Phil Barber and his son Rhylee to open and the big fella wound back the clock with a solid defence and a boundary before succumbing to the elements and losing his wicket.
This brought the Barber brothers together and they were batting well until young Jacko caught a glimpse of some young local girls coming for a look and he lost concentration and his off stump.
The girls didn’t seem to phase the eldest brother however as he charged ahead dispatching the attack to all parts of the ground, clearly not taking advice from the once again MIA Collins.
Anic was furiously calculating how many runs he needed to get his average back up over 100 for the season.
He needed to remove his shoes to count properly at one point but once he was sorted out, off he went.
Blasting the attack appearing half bored he and Barber rocketed the scoring along until Rylee fell 21 short of a much deserved hundred.
Concentration perhaps becoming a factor in the stifling conditions for the youngster.
Not wanting to allow anyone else to take the limelight Anic moved to 76 before getting the hurry up from the monstrous captain Closter on the sidelines.
He then proceeded to send four in a row over the rope to move to 100* off 49 balls and calmly walked off allowing the rest of the team to have a go.
Jase Raggett manipulated the field with precision as usual, Billy nearly threw his back out before missing one by three inches and being given out caught behind.
Closter chopped on in comical scenes, a ball aimed at the deep cover river got hit into the ground, bounced 20ft in the air and landed squarely on top of off stump, then Nic the Baseballer came out for one delivery, sent it back over the bowler’s head for six and walked off.
Jordy Wilson was there and done something, but it must have been uneventful.
Conditions worsened over the tea break and the weather was described as Madras like circa 1986.
Bowling was going to be near impossible and with Collins under the weather, Playford under the thumb and Stanton under something someone was going to have to stand up.
Swaggering up to the crease new cherry in hand Closter marked out his 28 steps and then stood at the top of his mark, resolute.
Leading with the left foot, followed by a right, then a left then another right in quick succession he bounded in and let rip.
After eight overs the three danger hitters had been removed for only 28 runs; champagne cricket.
He threw the ball to his eldest boy Harry and murmured, “You’ll be right with the rest, son”, and wandered off to backward point.
Harry removing off stump with his first rock, his youngest son Dusty also picking up a wicket in his first over and the Closter’s had five of the available wickets.
The rest of the side rallied around a gallant effort from their fearless leader to clean the umpires up for 80 odd, a dominate 200 run victory heading into finals.
All jokes aside a few honourable mentions on a fantastic year.
Andrew Clark finishing fourth in the league bowling with 17 wickets at an average of 17.76.
Collins finishing third in the league for batting with 508 runs at a whopping 101.6 average.
But it was Nathan Anic who took the most catches for the season with 14, made the must runs with 621 @ 100.3 and finished champion player with 801 points.
Collins third with 703 points from only 7 games.
Massive effort from all.
Join us next week as we take on Baranduda in week 1 of the finals.
Don’t bother bringing your whites, I’ve got a funny feeling everyone will be available for the next 3 weeks.
Under 16’s
Had the bye.
Under 14’s Div 1
Corowa will head into next week’s play needing 138 for victory after a solid bowling performance restricted Tallangatta to 8/137 from their 40 overs.
After losing the toss, Corowa were sent into the field on a heavily dewy outfield, making conditions tricky early.
It didn’t take long for the breakthrough, however, with Oli Matthews striking to claim the first wicket and give his side the ideal start.
Tallangatta steadied following the early setback and began to build partnerships, but the momentum shifted when Albie Wood was introduced into the attack.
His spell created several chances and soon resulted in a crucial wicket, swinging the pressure back Corowa’s way.
The wickets were shared around from there, with Abe Spencer, Will Torney, and Cal Corcoran each chiming in with a scalp to keep Tallangatta in check.
Late in the innings, Jagger Doody cleaned up the tail to ensure the total remained within reach.
Tallangatta finished their innings at 8/137 after 40 overs, leaving Corowa with a competitive but attainable target when they take to the crease next week.
Under 14’s Div 2
Report not submitted
Under 12’s Div 1
Another strong team effort delivered a home win at Morris Park on Friday night, as our side defeated East Albury.
Captain, Jake Rhodes, won the toss and elected to field first.
Early wickets fell with Hugh Hicks bowling and Ollie Bedford taking a sharp catch in the field.
Bill Smith then bowled to have the batter caught by Tex for our second wicket, before Tex claimed our third with a clean bowled dismissal.
Zach Playford added further pressure, delivering an excellent maiden over.
Chasing the target, Tyler Mullavey anchored the innings with a strong 33 off 20 balls.
Hugh contributed 16 off 19, and Jobe Ollington added a steady 10 off 16 to guide the team home comfortably.
Next week we travel to Lavington for the final round of the season, hoping to secure a home final.
Let’s go boys!
Under 12’s Div 2 - White
Fresh off last week's victory, the team was energized for another win.
This week, we travelled to Norris Park to play against Lavington and, once again, won the toss and chose to bat first.
With Johan finished up and Moritz returning, we could field a team of ten.
Jack and Locky Hamilton got us off to a strong start, scoring 8 and 11* respectively.
Although conditions were spongy underfoot and the outfield was sluggish after all the rain, Moritz contributed a well-made 8, rotating the strike smoothly with Tasley, who top-scored with a solid 11—including the only four for the Corowa White side.
Benji and Locky Nixon followed, making 5 and 4. The remaining batters scored as follows: Archer 5*, Rory 4*, Albert 1, and Fletcher 3. Altogether, we tallied 8/78, which was impressive given the slow outfield.
It would take excellent fielding and bowling to keep Lavington under 78.
At the halfway point of Lavington's innings, they stood at 7/46, giving Corowa a real chance.
After some motivating words from coach Marc, the team realized they were fully in the game.
At the end of the 17th over, there was just one run separating the teams with three overs left.
Jack Nixon came in to bowl, fresh off two run-outs earlier in the innings.
Jack’s second over swung the match, as he took 3 wickets for 2 runs, ending the day with figures of 3/9.
Other bowling highlights included Locky Nixon (2/12), Rory (1/8), Albert (1/6), Tasley (1/8), Benji (1/8), and Archer (1/12).
At the close of play, Lavington had made 12/84.
However, after recalculating the final score based on multiple outs for both teams, Lavington finished on 12/104 and Corowa clinched the win with 8/108.
Well done to everyone!
Under 12’s Div 2 – Blue
Way back at the end of October 2025 10 young men walked at to the middle of a cricket ground for their first game of their long careers.
Those present will remember it was a very long day and despite having an amazing amount of fun the boys went down by a mammoth 90 runs.
Fast forward 4 months and the second place Belvoir came down to Corowa no doubt seeking an easy kill, but times have changed.
Batting first the boys (and girl, sorry Lainey) went about their work punching balls all around the ground and running aggressively putting the pressure on the fielders showing all the lessons they have learnt for the year.
Plenty of 2’s, nice loud calls of wait, yes.
Sliding their bats and encouraging each other, everyone contributed to post 86 with minimal loss.
But it was with the ball that they really shined.
The fielding was sharp, showing they had learnt to hang onto the ball and save overthrows until there is an opportunity for a run out and then they pounced.
Holding catches and again encourage each other after any minimal mistakes.
As with the bat everyone contributed but it was the Corcoran show at full force that proved the difference.
Chase, Chad and Lainey combining for 10 wickets to absolutely dominate for the first time, but not the last.
Both teams waited eagerly for the scorers to confirm the result and in the end, Corowa won by 1 run.
A truly amazing effort considering where they have come from, the only thing that didn’t change was the smiles on the faces, child and parent alike.
One more week to go for the future superstars, Wodonga away.
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.