Chasing New City’s 167, Corowa reached the target with eight wickets down and an over to spare at Ball Park last Saturday.
Despite a wayward start with the ball, New City’s top order struggled to find their footing. Shayan Shayan was the first wicket to tumble, clean-bowled by Ben Mitchell for a hard-fought 15 off 34 deliveries.
Nicholas Petts soon followed, with a high catch by Ethan Lane off Mitchell, as Corowa made inroads and left New City at 2-39.
Aaron Grant sought to anchor the innings with a gritty 31 off 85, carefully defending his wicket, but he eventually succumbed to Mitchell, who was on fire with the ball.
Fawad Malook led a counterattack from New City, top-scoring with 43 from 82 balls, striking four boundaries and a towering six to lift the scoring rate briefly.
However, Corowa’s bowlers maintained a tight line and length, forcing Fawad into an LBW decision as Mitchell continued his wicket-taking spree.
Experienced cricketer Daryl Tuffey (23 off 29) offered some resistance in the middle order, but Corowa’s Jay Lavis produced an excellent spell to dismantle New City’s hopes. Lavis, finding seam and swing, trapped Tuffey and then sent Zach Stewart and Riley McGrath back to the pavilion, breaking through the defences of the middle and lower order.
Ben Mitchell led Corowa’s attack with precision, claiming four crucial wickets for just 30 runs from his full 10-over spell, including one maiden. His ability to move the ball both ways left the New City batsmen guessing, and he bowled with a consistently probing line that paid dividends.
Jay Lavis provided crucial support from the other end, claiming 3-32 off his eight overs, unsettling the New City middle order.
Daniel Athanitis, an economical option, kept the scoring rate in check with his 10 overs yielding only 19 runs and a wicket, with an economy rate under 2, demonstrating superb control.
Mark Athanitis also chipped in with a wicket in his six overs, while Nick Grant and Ethan Lane maintained tight lines, frustrating New City’s attempts to accelerate.
In the field, Shaun Smith and Ethan Lane stood out, with Smith’s sharp reflexes leading to a fine catch and Lane showing solid support around the wicket.
Corowa’s clinical bowling and agile fielding restricted New City, with their innings folding despite a late partnership between Nizam ud din (14*) and Matthew Schneider (5*), who both finished unbeaten as the innings closed.
Corowa’s attack, struggled initially with wides, however, were quick to, ensuring New City couldn’t build substantial partnerships, and with early wickets and sustained pressure, they contained the visitors to a modest total of 167.
Mitchell’s four-wicket haul and Lavis’s aggressive spell highlighted a well-rounded performance that gave Corowa a firm advantage on their home turf at Ball Park.
Corowa will look to carry forward this form, building on the momentum from their sharp bowling and cohesive fielding as the season unfolds.
Chasing New City’s total of 167, Corowa’s innings began with a rocky start as Patrick Lavis was trapped LBW by Shayan Shayan early, leaving the hosts at 1-2.
Shaun Smith, however, steadied the ship with a pivotal knock of 60 off 88 deliveries, featuring two boundaries and a couple of powerful sixes, including a belter straight up the ground that left the fielders watching in admiration.
Smith’s efforts kept the scoreboard ticking, but he eventually fell stumped off Fawad Malook’s bowling.
Matthew Grantham (12 off 36) showed resilience at the crease, but his innings was cut short when he unluckily chopped the ball onto the ground, only to watch as it bounced up and dislodged one of the bails.
Matthew Wilson contributed a steady 26 off 48, including three boundaries that helped build Corowa’s momentum before he was out, leaving the team at 3-99.
As the innings progressed, Jarred Lane dug in with 18 off 51 balls, supporting Smith’s efforts before he fell LBW to Daryl Tuffey.
Ben Mitchell and Daniel Athanitis couldn’t quite capitalize on the middle-order foundation, with Mitchell departing for 7 and Athanitis for 3, both succumbing to a disciplined New City bowling attack led by Shayan Shayan (2-17) and Daryl Tuffey (2-26).
Jay Lavis added a quick 9 before Tuffey struck again, and Corowa found themselves at 8-153, in need of a final push.
Ethan Lane (10*) and Nick Grant (12* off 9, including two boundaries) provided a late surge, showing excellent strike rotation and an aggressive approach in the final overs. Their efforts guided Corowa to a total of 168, achieved in 48.4 overs, with extras adding a useful 11 runs.
New City’s disciplined bowling kept Corowa under pressure throughout. Still, Smith’s brilliant innings, highlighted by his straight six and contributions from Wilson and Lane, alongside Ethan Lane and Grant late ensured a competitive total on the board.
Corowa will look to build on this effort next week at Rowan Park in Tallangatta.
B Grade
B Grade had a very good win over New City at Urana Road Oval. After stand-in captain Zac Taylor-Nugent lost the toss and the team was asked to bowl first and with Blake Keenes and Taylor-Nugent on fire, they totally recked the New City top order reducing them to 5 for 20.
Kade Wilson and Jack Eales joined in the action as Corowa was able to bowl New City out for 56, Keenes taking 4 for 25 off his 9 overs, while Taylor-Nugent took 3 for 6 off 5 overs, while Eales took 2 for 9 off 7 overs and Wilson 1 for 8 off 4 overs.
In reply Corowa lost 3 quick wickets to be 3 for 15 before Wilson (21*) and Eales (23*) knocked off the runs by the 15th over for a 7 wicket win.
C Grade
C Grade made it 2 from 2 with a 7 wicket win over Lavington. Bowling first Corowa restricted Lavington to164 off their 40 overs. Caleb Kuschert was the star taking 4 for 8 off 6 overs while Danny Osborne and Andrew Clark both picked up two wickets each.
In reply Ollie Collins (58) and Mitch Ladd (68) put on 114 for the first wicket to get Corowa on the road to victory. With help from Caleb (11) and Luke (12*) the side was able to pass Lavington’s sore by the 30th over.
C Grade Div 2
We saw the return of the C2 side. Corowa won the toss and sent Baranduda White in to bat. The Corowa bowling attack was well on top for the majority of the innings with the former Balldale opening bowlers Jordan Wilson 3/22(8) and Doug Lavis 3/16(5.1) linking up for the first time in nearly a decade being the pick of the bowlers whilst still terrorising the opposition.
Anic, Burdon and young Rhylee Barber picked up a wicket each on the way to bowling out Baranduda White for 118 in 33.1 overs.
Chasing 119 for victory Lachie and Billy Raggett walked out to the middle to start our run chase.
It’s safe to say that the Raggett brothers wanted this over as quick as possible and went on to chase down the target in 13.4 overs without losing a wicket. Lachie top scored with 89* from 44 balls in a clinical display dispatching the Baranduda bowlers not only all over Morris Park but all over South Corowa for that matter.
Older brother Billy ended up with 28* from 39 deliveries, showing his class and maturity with some great shot selections.
An impressive all-round performance from the team with a 10 wicket win to start season 24/25.
A special thankyou to Archie Bedford and Rhylee Barber for stepping up from the under 16s and helping out. Both boys didn’t look out of place whatsoever.
Also welcome to Mick Drew, Russell Sproule, Jonathon Perry who played their first games for the club and a welcome back to Nathan Anic who played his first game back with the club in nearly 18 years.
And a special mention to young Kobe Raggett who helped the boys out in the field. Very bright future ahead for the 10yr old!
Under 16s
On Friday night it was the under 16s first game of the season. They took on St Pats/Albury in a T20.
Winning the toss and batting first, Jack Torney and Rustyn Collins looked in control.
Rustyn departed for 8 bringing Joe Lavis to the middle. The game was in the midst at the 10 over mark with the score at 1/35.
Jack Torney and Joe Lavis then notched it up a gear. The two put the bowling attack under pressure and kept the fielders busy.
Joe was retired at 50 not out off 24 balls. He batted beautifully after some luck fell his way with a couple of dropped opportunities from the opposition.
Archie Bedford then joined Jack. The pair finished out the innings perfectly featuring a couple big boundaries and hard running between the wickets. Archie ran himself out on the last ball doing the team thing and trying to pinch an extra run.
Archie made an awesome total of 35 off 23 balls and his head may have grown in size as he walked off the field! Jack made a terrific 37 not out off 39 balls. Jack gave no chances and set the tone with the bat.
Corowa finished 2/151 after their 20 overs.
Eli Lavis and Levi Phibbs looked dangerous early with the new ball. The pair were unlucky as a couple missed opportunities weren’t taken. Harry Norman caused the first wicket with a sharp runout. St Pats/ Albury were 1/21 after 8 overs as Corowa looked in control.
Rhylee Barber then took two wickets in a row to put a nail in the coffin. Jacob Wilson also collected a wicket and bowled terrifically.
Cohen Wilcox also looked dangerous with the ball in only is first game of cricket. St Pats/Albury finished at 5/77 after 20 overs.
An allround performance for the boys as they collected their first win of the season with hopefully a few more to come this season.
The Under 16s take on Lavington next Friday away at Norris Park.
Under 14s Div 1
At home to start the season on a perfect morning with 10 players saw us up against Albury. Our captains for the season, Harry Norman and Lachie Douglas, won the toss and elected to bowl.
With the ground a bit dewy it was an unusual call but with the outfield looking slow it was the call I would have made also.
Lachie Douglas and Jagger Doody opened the bowling for us both bowling a spell of great line and length to keep the Albury batsmen tied up. Harry Norman and Archie Rhodes combined to keep the dot pressure on the batsmen with Archie getting the breakthrough right before drinks to have Albury 1/21 after 10 overs.
Callan Corcoran then came on for a spell and picked up the other opener quickly with a well flighted ball bowling him.
Albury were in need or runs and were forced to play more shots providing more chances however their luck held to finish out the innings at 2/71 off their 20 and with all our guys that wanted a bowl getting one.
Harry and Lachie opened the batting and got us away to a good start with some impressive running between the wickets.
Their hard running got us away to a quick start and the score was 0/43 after 8 overs before Lachie was a bit slow off the mark for a run bringing Charlie Hall to the crease. Harry and Charlie kept the runs ticking over with Harry retiring on 32 with the score at 1/59 in the 13th over bringing Archie to the crease.
Archie started well however got a great hooping ball to remove his off peg and give the Albury boys a glimmer of hope.
Abe Spencer came to the crease and partnered with Charlie removed any hope the Albury boys had with the boys posting the winning runs in the 16th over.
Both teams decided to play out the remaining overs with the Corowa boys getting a 2 over stint each after Charlie and Abe both retired on 13.
Solid start to the season for all the boys.
Under 14s Div 2
Corowa Division 2 Under 14 boys' cricket team emerged victorious over Howlong with a commendable total of 112 runs.
Leading the charge was Oliver Mathews, who put in a phenomenal performance with an unbeaten score of 30 runs, generously retiring after a superb display of batting.
Jackson Barber contributed significantly with a well-fought 20 runs. Not far behind him was Jaxon Collins, who racked up a solid 26 runs.
As the boys took to the field for their bowling innings, they brought their A-game, firmly defending their total. Albie Wood was the standout performer with the ball, claiming an impressive 2 wickets for just 2 runs.
Nate Kuschert showcased great bowling skills, taking 1 wicket for 9 runs, while Nathias Price made a significant impact with not only 1 wicket for 1 run but also impressively taking 3 catches.er 14’s Div 2
Under 12s Div 1
Corowa hosted Albury at Corowa high school in our first hit out for the season. Winning the toss Corowa chose to field.
The bowling was nice and tidy early with runs hard to score. Benji Witherden was first to get a wicket clean bowled. A couple of the Albury boys took control and got the runs ticking over before Jake Rhodes was able to get a run out.
The innings was even for the remainder with some good cricket played. Pick of the bowling Jake Rhodes 1/4 George Smith 1/11 Bill Smith and Benji Casey 0/6 total 5/89.
Going into bat George Smith and Ollie Bedford looked solid early before Ollie went for 5. Being the first game the boys were a bit rusty with the bat with nobody being able to reach double figures except George who put on a dominant batting display to make 22.
Benji Casey and Bailey Hicks both also showed plenty of promise with the bat. All out for 54. Plenty to build on with some more games under our belt.
Under 12s Div 2
The Div 2 boys started off the year away to north Albury. Batting first Jobe and Archer got the innings off to a great start Kobe and Mauritz top scoring with 14 and 11 respectively.
Our two superstar fill in boys Flynn Ollington and Louis Raggett stole the show at the end of the innings with a solid 6 run partnership. Setting north a very impressive target of 83 to win
In reply the boys fought hard with the ball and in the field. North Albury just scraping by making 104.
Every bowler taking a wicket but it was Superstar Flynn Ollington the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/19.
Very impressive first game of the year. Thanks to Kat Nixon for doing an excellent job scoring.
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, BJ Hanrahan Family Trust, Thrifty, Corowa Furnishing and Floors & Corowa RSL Club.