Missing four star players and being 3-17, Corowa’s Jarred Lane strode to the wicket and made a brilliant 81 to guide his side’s 47 run win over East Albury at Ball Park last Saturday.
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Looking for a win to secure their place in the finals, Corowa’s captain Jarryd Hatton was unavailable. Ben Mitchell took the reins and in contrast to Hatton’s record at the toss, Mitchell won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Ball Park wicket proved difficult to score on early, with Corowa’s opening pair of Mitchell and Paddy Lavis unable to play their characteristic free-flowing shots against East Albury’s wily opening bowlers.
Lavis was first to go with the score on 12, and he was joined in the pavilion shortly after by Matt “Pipes” Grantham, who was run out for a duck. When Mitchell departed the following over, the score was 3-17, and Corowa was on the ropes.
Experienced recruit Dan Smith was joined at the crease by local Jarred Lane, and the pair set about rebuilding the Corowa innings with patience. Unfortunately, their partnership was brought to an abrupt end when Dan Smith was forced to retire hurt after injuring his calf taking off for a quick single.
Smith’s game awareness and eagerness to pass on his knowledge has been invaluable to the group, and the club wishes him all the best with his recovery.
With this significant blow, Corowa was now in strife, however Jarred Lane continued to go about his innings with great control. He shared short partnerships with Jay Lavis, Kade Wilson and Angus Massey, getting Corowa to 6-95.
Lane was now beginning to up the anti and found a great partner in Luke Heagney, as the pair were able to propel Corowa to a very competitive 159 off 50 overs. Heagney finished 18 not out, whilst Lane was dismissed on the final ball of the innings for a gutsy 81.
Lane’s innings on a difficult pitch was a highlight of the season, showing great composure to help give the bowlers something to defend.
The Corowa attack was without its spearhead and leading wicket taker Jarryd Hatton, and with a modest but competitive score to defend, the young attack needed to step up.
Jay Lavis proved he was up to the task, removing dangerous opener Gagan Preet Singh, and found support from Nick Grant who snared the crucial wicket of Matt Tom. The opening pair bowled with good discipline and were aptly rewarded.
Without his senior opening partner, Grant was able to bowl with the wind at his back and in his fifth, overtook consecutive wickets to leave East Albury reeling at 4-14. However, despite tight bowling from Ben Mitchell, and Mark “Derek” Athanitis bending his back at the other end, East Albury rebuilt, led by Ayesha Verma.
Corowa needed a wicket to get back in the game, and Mitchell turned to Paddy Lavis, who delivered with a searing sandshoe crusher.
Wickets then fell consistently, as Jack Eales’ leggies proved too good, claiming two scalps, whilst Ben Mitchell removed Verma through a sharp catch from wicketkeeper Angus Massey.
However, the East Albury lower order proved difficult to remove. This could only mean one thing. Spud “Golden Arm” Wilson was brought on and to immediate effect, much to the delight of the healthy home crowd that had gathered throughout the afternoon. Ben Mitchell claimed the final wicket as Athanitis took a comfortable catch in the deep.
Special mentions go to Angus Massey, who was outstanding with the gloves and provided great energy out in the field, and Jack Eales who bowled with good control and variation.
Matt Grantham, full of energy after his short innings, was a standout in the field and saved a lot of runs.
With two rounds remaining, A Grade return to Ball Park next Saturday to host North Albury in a blockbuster. North Albury sit in second position, less than one win ahead of Corowa, making it a significant game in determining the top three teams heading into finals.
B Grade
Making the trip to East Albury for another important clash the B Grade boys were looking for another win to help sure up a finals berth.
Winning the toss and batting in a deck that’s always good to bat on, Keenes and Lane opened the innings. After a steady start, Lane fell with the score on 24, in an unlucky dismissal. Carr and Keenes then took the score to 46 before Carr fell for a busy 11 looking good before smashing one to backward square.
A steady flow of wickets then ensued, with Keenes batting well for his 32; with Nugent and Phibbs the only others to reach double figures, the innings ended with the score on 123.
Fuge and Phibbs opened the bowling. With early wickets needed, Fuge obliged taking a wicket in his first over. But with opening batsman Wright in an aggressive mood, the score moved to 41 before he fell for a run at ball 27.
From 2-41 to 4-62 Corowa were in the hunt, but a partnership of 45 looked to put the game out of reach.
A couple of quick wickets turned the game again, 6-113 then 7 -119 but unfortunately a win wasn’t to be with no more wickets taken East Albury finished on 7-126.
A tough day in the office with at least six dropped catches in what would prove to be the Roos downfall. Catches win matches.
Many thanks must go to the young blokes for helping out once again. Brodes, Eli, Austin and Chedda all acquitting themselves superbly as always, with Aussie playing his first game in the B grade.
C Grade
Winning ugly is still winning, someone once said, and Corowa C-Grade (Division 1) did just that to guarantee a fourth or better home-and-away finish on Saturday.
Playing on turf for the first time this season, Corowa were in massive trouble as St Patrick’s swing bowlers reduced the side to 6/42 with only Ollie Collins (20) offering resistance in the top order.
From there, somehow Corowa mustered a win with a Danny Osborne (52) and Baxter Macfarlane (27) partnership turning the tide.
For decorated fast-bowler Osborne it was a career-first half-century while emerging all-rounder Baxter Macfarlane bashed a career-first six.
The unlikely seventh-wicket partnership helped Corowa to 131, and from there it was game on.
A direct-hit run-out from Karvan Silva in the second over provided the perfect start before in-form paceman Caleb Kuschert hit the stumps and then Cody “Curtly” Kuschert drew an edge.
St Patrick’s No.5 pulled some sweet fours, but Ollie Collins continued a good day with a quick stumping off the bowling of skipper and offie Blayre Smith.
Another of St Pat’s middle order was causing trouble, before Collins repeated the dose, this time from the bowling of leggie Silva.
A third St Pat’s middle-order player passed double figures but Matt Shipard had safe hands at mid-wicket to end a run of dropped catches, Silva again with the wicket.
The quicks cleaned up the tail, Caleb Kuschert with 3/16 as Corowa posted a hard-fought 17-run win.
Under 16s
On Friday night the under 16s bowled to defend their total of 190.
Joe Lavis took the first wicket in the opening over getting the boys off to a good start. Getting off to a flyer and everyone playing their role, the Raiders were 6/60 at the drinks break.
Joe Lavis took 2 wickets up front with Jack Torney joining in taking 1 wicket. Levi Phibbs bowled very well taking 2/5 off his 4 overs dismissing a few key Raiders batsmen. Tyler Abley continued his good form taking 1 wicket also.
The boys put an end to the party running through the tail to bowl Raiders out for 81 with 12 overs to spare.
Archie Bedford and Benji Hanrahan cleaned up the tail end both taking a wicket each. Everyone did their job with the ball and in the field.
It was an all-round performance for the 16s on Friday night. The 16s sit on top of the table with one game remaining before finals.
They take on Baranduda next week at home to try and cement their number 1 position on the ladder guaranteeing them a home semi final.
Under 14s Div 1
Chasing 70 for victory, the openers of Eli Lavis and Austin Ross-Anderson got the team off to a great start adding 49 for the first wicket before Anderson went for 27.
This was the only wicket lost before making the runs as Corowa passed the total in the 14th over. Corowa batted out the 40 overs to make 5 for 185. Lavis continued his good form retiring on 50, while Rhylee Barber’s good season continued with 24 retired while Will Massey looked great making 33.
Corowa take on Wodonga his week with a win cementing second spot on the ladder and a home semi-final.
Under 14s Div 2
Day 2. After getting New City out for 87 and being 3/24 in the Roos chase, Corowa started the day with a fresh 40 overs to achieve the first innings win and also push for an outright win if there was enough time.
Archie and Jagger resumed the innings and got off to a great start putting on a further 16 runs in three overs before Jagger popped a catch off their left arm spinner bringing Jake Witherden to the crease on his birthday.
Archie and Jake set about hauling in the first target, getting the Roos there in the 13th over of the day with Archie retiring on 50 soon after with the score in the mid-90s.
This saw a mini collapse occur with Corowa losing 3 quick wickets and a job still to do to build a total quick enough to have a solid crack at the outright win.
Oliver McLellan and Jake got moving again before Oliver was out for 5 bringing Aiden Ractliffe to the crease.
Aido stuck around for a bit enabling the team to put some more runs on the board before Archie came back out to join Jake for the last wicket. Jake made an important 25 before being bowled with the score on 129.
With the innings changeover Corowa had 15 overs to get 9 wickets and were 42 runs ahead. New City were very cautious in their innings and not having a dab at much.
The Roos boys were bowling a great line and length but not able to get it into the right spot to force them to play a shot though.
Corowa finally broke through with some great fielding by Archie resulting in a runout. Josh Kremmer then chimed in with a clean bowl to give Corowa some hope of ripping through their order.
When Charlie had their best player out bowled with a full toss with 10 balls to go, the Roos needed 6 wickets.
A mathematical possibility but in the end not a reality as New City held on to deny Corowa the outright win.
Under 12s White
Corowa White travelled to Xavier High to play St Pats Green on Friday. After winning the toss White elected to field and were off to a flyer as Cal Corcoran collected a wicket first ball of the innings.
This was followed up with a wicket to Jaxon Collins and some very slick bowling by all other boys having St Pats struggling at the 10th over. The second 10 evened out a little with the batsmen getting onto some runs and wickets coming at regular intervals to finish Pats all out for 76.
Cal 2/0 was brilliant, Archie Rhodes 2 wickets also and a wicket each to Fin Douglas and Jaxon Collins.
Opening up the bat this week was Fin Douglas and George Smith who was first to go early.
Archie Rhodes then joined Fin to get the run chase fully underway. Both played some great shots to put the game beyond doubt.
With the runs made quickly, an opportunity was created for the bottom order to enjoy some time at the crease with Kasey and Jake Rhodes both taking advantage of this to put together impressive knocks.
Archie Rhodes with some help from brother Jake was also able to come back in for a well-earned half century.
Archie 59 no, Fin 24 and Kasey 13 in the runs. Great win and over to Howlong next week.
Under 12s Blue
Corowa Blue ensured a finals spot with a win against Albury. Bowling first, Albury were scoring freely due to some wide leg side bowling. Once Corowa straightened up, things tightened up a little. Albury’s openers both retired and after that, the Roos were able to take wickets regularly.
It was another great fielding effort with a run out and two terrific outfield catches to Ollie and Leo. Abe was the star with the ball taking four for one off his two overs. Ollie, Darcy and Lucas all chimed in with a wicket each.
The batting innings was again consistent. Jacko Barber opened and made a quickfire 18 to get Corowa off to a positive start.
Jagger retired on 17, but the star of the match was Abe, who after taking a bag of wickets, made 32 not out to help secure the win.
Under 12s Div 2
On Friday night the boys came up against Wodonga at St Monica’s. Captain Bailey Hicks won the toss and elected to bat. By far Corowa’s best performance with the bat for the year, with Benji Casey leading the way making 20, smashing one four and a massive six.
Tommy and Bailey chipped in with 13 and 11 respectively, finishing up on 104.
In with a real chance to snag a win against the 5th placed side, the boys bowled and fielded really well.
Tommy Bonnitcha bowled well taking a wicket early. Kobe Raggett, Jack Timms and debutant Hugh Hicks all getting wickets caught and bowled. Wodonga,just chasing down the score, ended up on 112. All in all a great performance again by the boys who are improving every week.
Thanks to all the parents for helping out.
The club would like to acknowledge our sponsors for this season, Corowa Curtains and Décor, 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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