The Free Press took this team photo of Corowa before the start of play last Saturday, before the side went down to St Patrick’s. But there’s plenty to like about Corowa and competition for spots in the team, especially with opening bowler Nick Grant returning and veteran boom recruit Dan Smith to make his debut. After three rounds, Raiders have 15 points followed by six of the remaining 11 sides including Corowa on 12 points.
Corowa went from 2 for 65 at the drinks break to 4 for 65 in two deliveries chasing St Patrick’s 7/221 which really hurt the home side last Saturday.
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Corowa welcomed St Patrick’s to Ball Park for boom recruit Dan Christian’s first game for the club in front of a large crowd.
Winning the toss St Patrick’s looked to make use of a good batting wicket by batting first. And St Pats openers made a great start adding 61 for the first wicket before Christian got his first wicket for the club.
Coming on first change, boom Corowa recruit, allrounder Dan Christian, made the first breakthrough, dismissing St Patrick’s dangerous opening batsman Neil Smith, caught at slip by his close mate Ben Mitchell. Christian was involved in the first three dismissals, including a smart runout, in finishing with the figures of 2/38 off 10 overs. Photo courtesy of Rob Lacey Photography.
Wickets were hard to come by for Corowa with St Pats looking good before a brilliant throw from the boundary line by Jarred Lane got Corowa their second wicket with the score on 103.
Mark Athanitis bowled well with no luck to slow the scoring down but the wicket looked good as St Pats moved the score along to 164 before Christian struck again. Two quick wickets to Ben Mitchell and a wicket to Jarryd Hatton slowed the scoring with St Pats at 6 for 189.
After a good warm up beforehand, left-handed Corowa batsman Matthew Grantham top scored with 39.
But St Pats were able to finish the inning off making 7 for 221 off their 50 overs with Christian, Mitchell and Hatton all taking two wickets each.
In reply Corowa lost Patrick Lavis early to be 1 for 11 and when Ben Mitchell went for 18 Corowa looked in trouble at 2 for 27. Matthew Grantham and Jarred Lane looked solid as they pushed the score along to 2 for 65 at the 17th over drinks break.
The game changed with the first two balls after the drinks break with firstly Lane going for 19 then Christian went first ball. Matthew Wilson joined Grantham and these two looked comfortable pushing the score along to 94 before Wilson went. When Grantham went a couple of balls later for 39, Corowa was in real trouble at 6 or 94.
Wickets kept on falling as Corowa quickly fell to 9 for 107 before Jarryd Hatton decided to have some fun and bring the crowd in to the game smashing 21 in one over and making 28 not out, including two towering sixes, off 10 balls before Corowa lost the last wicket on 138.
It was a big day for the club and thanks to all the supporters who turn up to support the club.
A Grade play Albury this Saturday at Billson Park.
B Grade
B Grade won the toss and batted on a nice wicket, Blake Keenes and Darcy Melksham got the team off to a steady start before Keenes fell for 19 in the 7th over. The score moved to 43 before Melkskam fell, this bringing Jack Eales and Jeremy Carr together. St Pats were bowling well and the scoring slowed before Eales fell then Carr also fell shortly after for a well-made 30. Zach Taylor-Nugent and Joe Lavis both got starts but when they fell Corowa was 7 for 132. But it was Kaelan Bradtke and Angus Williams who upped the run rate, with Bradtke 40 and Williams 23 as Corowa finished the innings with 185, a defendable total if the team bowed and fielded well.
Ethan Lane and Williams opened the bowling, with Pattie’s making a steady but positive start pouncing on anything loose and ticking the score over. Jacob Fuge then came on taking three quick wickets to have them 3-54 after 12. Pattie’s then steadied the ship with the next wicket coming from Nugent in the 20th over, the next to Eales with the score on 125.
Quick wickets were needed to be back in the game but they weren’t to come, with combination of great batting and poor bowling Pattie’s passed the total of 185 in the 41st over.
C Grade
Corowa C-Grade (Div 1) backed up round one’s batting exhibition with a bowling rout in round two, skittling a three-player-short New City for 45.
Opening quick Judd Kuschert got the first wicket but it was offspinner and new captain Blayre Smith (3/0) and first-change swing bowler Danny Osborne (2/8) who did most of the damage.
Legspinner Karvan Silva (1/0) took his first wicket for the club while the highlight in the field was a clever catch by Matt Shipard at first slip, which had deflected off wicketkeeper Ollie Collins, and which brought celebrations best described as ‘rambunctious’.
Corowa’s batsmen mopped up the chase in eight overs, Jason (22) and Lachie Raggett (20*) getting the job done with ease.
The match was all over within 22 overs and two hours, as planned, allowing the side to disembark off to the Dan Christian show, which was similarly brief.
Under 16s
In the first game of the season Corowa faced Albury cricket club at Bilson Park. Bowling first it didn’t take long for young Eli Lavis to create chances. Eli who is still eligible to play under 14s doubled up and took it to the Albury batsmen. At the end of the innings Albury set a total of 116. The boys bowled brilliantly particularly Levi Phibbs and Leroy Chester throughout the middle period.
Dan Christian was more than happy to take snap with young cricketer Tyler Mullavey.
The boys got off to a tricky start with the bat losing a couple of early wickets. Tyler Abley batted well who was the top run scorer. With the sun all of a sudden disappearing it was quite difficult for the batsmen and fielders to see the ball. Archie Bedford took it to the attack bashing them around at the end and taking the game deep into the final oval. The boys just fell short by four runs in a great game of cricket. They look forward to playing again next week.
Under 14s Div 1
It looked a bright start for the U14 Div 1 boys at Morris Park with Rhylee Barber taking a wicket in the first over followed up with some strong bowling from all the boys. Harry Norman was the standout with 2/11. Despite Corowa being good in the field, East Albury proved that they may be the team to beat this season with a very strong batting line up finishing their innings 5/125.
Despite the fire in our bellies, the wickets fell quickly. Harry Norman was having a great day, coming in at 6 and steadying the ship with a handy 38. Unfortunately, despite the boys’ efforts, they were all out for 79.
Notable mentions - Haz Norman who had a great day out; Jackson Barber’s sneaky 4 (giving him a total of 6 while filling in with the big boys) and Wilbur Forrest 12 n.o.
Under 14s Div 2
An overcast morning for our first game and we were sent in to bat on a wet ground. We thought it was an interesting call by New City as Dougy and Cal made their way to the middle.
The boys started well taking the score to 48 before Cal was bowled for 12. Jagger joined Dougy at the crease for a short period before Dougy retired on 30 which brought Archie to the crease. The boys batted well bringing the score to 67 before Jagger was run out by some good fielding.
Archie continued his innings with Billy and then Charlie before he was caught on 17. Charlie and Jake combined well for the 5th wicket partnership before Charlie was out caught trying to go over cover one too many times.
Jake and Josh saw the innings to a close as we posted 5/137 with Jake and Josh both finishing unbeaten on 15.
Abe opened the attack for us claiming a nice wicket in his first over by getting one through their opening batter and knocking over his off stump.
Ollie McLellan took his first wicket early removing their No 3 batsman followed great work in the field by Jagger and Cal to affect a great run out.
Wickets also to Dougy and Cal rounded out a great win by the boys restricting New City to 5/75 off their 20 overs.
Under 12s Div 1
Friday night saw Corowa White headed to the high school to take on Corowa Blue. After losing the toss White was sent into bat. There were some really good shots played and also some good defence against some sharp bowling. Callan Corcoran made a solid 13 as opener, Jaxon Collins smashed 10 in a good knock and Archie Rhodes made a quick fire 19 off 10. With a few other handy contributions White got the score to 7/75. For Blue Oliver Matthews was a standout in his first game of cricket with 2 for 6 off 2 overs while Darcy Upton also bowled well taking 2 for 9.
Then into field for White, there was some very tight bowling right through the group, but wickets were hard to come by against a good batting line up with Blue making the runs with a couple overs to spare. Jake Rhodes 1/6 off 3, Callan Corcoran 0/4 and George Smith 0/6 were the pick of the bowlers. For Blue Jackson Barber’s big pre-season enable him to make 25 retired and he was helped with Jagger Doody making 19 retired and Darcy Upton made 10 not out.
Under 12s Div 2
The Div 2 Under 12’s played their first game against Scots School in Albury. Bowling first the pick of the bowlers were Tommy Bonnitcha with 2 for 12, while Benji Casey 0/6 and Jack Timms 1 for 7 bowled well as Scots finished on 125.
In reply Tommy Bonnitcha top scored with 12 while Jack Timms with 7, Billy Witherden 6 and Kobe Raggett 6 batted well as Corowa finished on 85.
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, Pharmasave Corowa, O’Connors, Balldale Hotel, Federation Steel, Collins Transport, BJ Hanrahan Family Trust, Moloney Real Estate, Corowa Furnishing and Floors & Corowa RSL Club.
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