Roos rue missed chances

Despite the low total, there were glimpses of potential that the side will look to build upon heading into next week’s home fixture.

Batting first, Corowa never quite found their rhythm, losing early wickets and struggling to put together consistent partnerships.

Against a disciplined bowling attack, Blake Elliot provided some much-needed resistance, top-scoring with 24 off 39 balls in a determined knock against his former club.

Elliot played with patience and composure, finding gaps and rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.

He was supported by Ethan Lane, who added 21 runs, showing good intent with several well-timed shots through the offside.

However, after both fell in quick succession, the lower order couldn’t steady the innings, and Corowa were eventually dismissed in the 30th over for 104.

With the ball, Corowa were a little slow to settle into their rhythm early on, allowing the opposition to gain the upper hand during the run chase. Despite this, Mark Athanitis was impressive, picking up 2/22 off his 5 overs and troubling batters with consistent line and length.

Nick Grant also bowled tightly, conceding just 21 runs from his 3 overs, helping to restrict the scoring rate through the middle overs.

Although the result wasn’t what the team had hoped for, there were positive signs in patches — particularly in the efforts of the bowlers and the resolve shown by the lower order.

The Roos are confident they can turn things around with a more complete performance next weekend.

Corowa now turn their attention to their first home game of the season, where they’ll be eager to bounce back in front of their supporters.

The club is encouraging locals to head down, enjoy a day of cricket, and get behind the team as they look to claim their first win of the year.

B Grade

Corowa 10/173 def North Albury 10/139.

B Grade registered their first win with a 34 run victory over North Albury at Ball Park.

Losing the toss, Corowa was asked to bat first with Jeremy Carr and Lenny Power opening the batting.

Some tight bowling by North Albury restricted the Roos and with Power, Carr and Blake Keenes all going early Corowa was in trouble at 3 for 36.

Mick Drew and youngster Austin Ross-Anderson took control of the game with Ross-Anderson in really good form adding 75 runs to get Corowa in control at 3 for 111.

But when Drew went for a well-made 32, Corowa had a batting collapse losing 6 for 35 to be 9 for 146.

Daniel Athanitis hit out at the end making 31 as Corowa finished all out for 173 in 40.2 overs.

Ross-Anderson superb with 58 in his maiden fifty in senior cricket.

In the field Corowa made the perfect start with Harry Norman producing a direct hit run out. And with Daniel Athanitis and Zac Taylor-Nugent bowling well, they reduced North Albury to 6 for 48.

North Albury’s lower order added some resistance moving the score along to 8 for 138 before Leroy Chester made the important breakthrough and when Taylor-Nugent collected his fourth wicket Corowa had bowled out North Albury for 139.

Taylor-Nugent the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 30 while Athanitis collected 2 for 24.

B Grade take on Belvoir at Kelly Park this Saturday.

C Grade Div 1

Corowa 4/149 def Wodonga 10/146.

As skipper Blayre Smith likes to say every October, “gentlemen another glorious summer of cricket is upon us, let’s focus and have fun”.

So C-Grade (Division 1) were greeted by a beautiful 26-degree day in which to shake off a long, miserable winter of work and frosts at the greatest hard-wicket facility in the southern Riverina – Morris Park, South Corowa.

And this was a victorious start to season 2025/26 which boiled down to the actions of two men – one in the field, and one with the bat.

As the traditionally strong Wodonga got off to a strong start, Corowa were on the back foot and looking at a total of 200 as the visiting opening bats weathered some good bowling to race to 47 without loss – a Zac Crawley-type Wodonga opener starting to open up.

Enter Baxter Macfarlane. Off the bowling of Greg Burgess, who saw a difficult chance against the Crawley-clone go down the previous over, all-round talent Macfarlane held onto a rocket at mid-off to get rid of the dangerman and get Corowa’s season underway.

From there, Corowa put in a good fielding effort, Burgess going on to post 4/39 as the side reeled in eight catches – Luke Kuschert’s double-hander above his head at slip the best of the rest.

Wodonga were restricted to 144 and that’s when Corowa’s second hero-of-the-day entered.

Caleb Kuschert (51, strike rate 150) with his new opening partner Karvan Silva got the home side off to the perfect start, advancing to 80 in no time before Silva holed out for 28.

Corowa lost a couple of more wickets than they would have liked in the chase, but were never troubled as old hands Burgess (22*) and Dan Osborne (16*) steered the ship home with six wickets to spare.

Burgess’ knock garnering him one vote with his four wickets (and one catch), behind Kuschert (two votes) and Macfarlane (three catches, three votes).

Was great to see a crowd there taking interest, and the club hope to see you all back at Morris Park in round three.

C Grade Div 2 and the junior grade all begin this weekend.

Sponsors

The club would like to acknowledge 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 and Corowa RSL Club.