Corowa opened up their season on the road against Eskdale in what was a turbulent performance by the visiting side, who were all out for 116 runs on the day.
With an array of players unavailable Corowa fielded five players under 18.
After losing the toss and being sent in on the very dry track early going was tough with captain Dan Athanitis and Jordan Eyers departing with the score on 9. Experienced hands Jared Lane (30) and Nathan Rhodes (55) then entered the fray and settled early season nerves. With the wicket playing some tricks, both players punished some wayward bowling.
The score rattled along and at 2-101 things were looking rosy. Jared was caught on the boundary with a catch saving 6 more runs. A collapse of large proportions then occurred. Corowa proceeded to lose the last 8 wickets for 15 runs as Liam Tobin ran through the young batting line up and they were all out for 116. It couldn’t be said it was due to rash shots, Corowa just found ways to get out.
The total was always going to be hard to defend on the small ground and the Hodgkin brothers made their intents clear early on. The thin bowling attack tried hard to contain but the entrance of Vanuatu captain, Mansale, saw the runs reeled in in quick succession. Luke Backhouse claimed the lone wicket and the team was home in time for the 6.30 news.
Corowa will take on Dederang this Saturday at Ball Park for the first home game of the season.