In a classic case of nothing to lose, seventh-placed Corowa A-Grade side signed off their season with a bang, pulling off a clinical four wicket upset over second-placed St Patricks.
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While St Patricks were looking to fine tune their engine for the finals, Corowa proved that Ball Park Oval remains a difficult fortress to storm, chasing down 200 with overs to spare.
After being sent in by Corowa, St Patricks struggled to find a truly explosive gear.
Noah Vickery (11) and Neil Smith (16) provided a steady start, but the introduction of Callum Langlands proved pivotal.
Langlands broke the opening stand and later claimed the crucial wicket of Edward Kreutzberger, finishing as one of the pick of the bowlers.
Tyler Abley’s performance was a masterclass in middle-over containment. In a seven over block during the heart of the innings, he conceded just 13 runs.
Nick Grant and Hamish Starr kept their cool in the final five overs, with Grant cleaning up Jarryd Hatton in the 48th to ensure the target stayed at a manageable 200.
Corowa’s chase started well racing to 45 before Liam Scammell produced a devastating 9th over, removing both Joe Lavis (21) and Jesse Moloney (22) in the space of three balls to leave the home side at 2 for 46.
When Patrick Lavis and Jarred Lane fell shortly after, Corowa looked destined for a standard "end-of-season" collapse at 4 for 87
However, Ben Fulford and Callum Langlands had other ideas, the pair combining for a gritty match-defining partnership.
Fulford was particularly aggressive against the spin of Dean Nicholson, launching a massive six in the 24th over to signal his intent.
After Fulford departed for a well-made 60, Lenny Power entered the fray and lived up to his name.
Power dismantled the St Patricks attack, including a towering six in the 36th over, before ice-cold boundaries in the 44th over sealed the victory.
B Grade
In a high stakes clash with the minor premiership on the line, Corowa suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of St Patricks.
Despite a resilient mid-innings counterattack and a five-wicket haul from Ethan Lane, the league leaders couldn't defend their total of 161, allowing St Patricks to leapfrog them at the most critical juncture of the season.
Choosing to bat first at Xavier, Corowa’s top order struggled against a clinical St Patricks attack.
Will Keighran was the chief destroyer early, removing Blake Keenes (5), Michael Dew (2) and Kade Wilson (1), Corowa looked in danger of a total collapse at 3 for 38
Daniel Athanitis proved to be the saviour.
Playing a lone hand for much of the innings, he anchored the innings before exploding in the 35th over.
Facing Matthew Hargraves, Athanitis launched back-to-back sixes in a 16-run over that briefly shifted the momentum back to the visitors.
However, the tail couldn't wag long enough.
Athanitis was eventually stumped for a fighting 85 off 84 balls as Corowa was bowled out for 161 in the 42nd over.
Corowa needed early wickets to stay in the hunt, but St Patricks got off to a flyer moving to 48 off 7 overs, then Ethan Lane changed the direction of the match.
Lane claimed Samuel Hollis and Mitchell O'Brien in the space of three balls, then followed up by removing Harry Kreutzberger and William Scammell.
A sharp piece of fielding by Blake Keenes to run out Sam Williams had St Patricks in absolute disarray at 6 wickets down for 71.
With St Patricks staggering, Corowa was on the verge of a miracle, however, Patrick Lockwood and Matthew Hargraves produced a match-winning partnership.
The duo weathered Lane’s fire and slowly began to find the boundary.
While Lane eventually returned to dismiss Hargraves, finishing with a 5-wicket haul, Lockwood remained composed.
He punished any loose delivery, steering the home side past the 161-run target in the 33rd over with 3 wickets to spare.
A bitter pill to swallow for Corowa.
While the bowling of Ethan Lane kept Corowa in the game, the lack of runs from the top-order stars left the bowlers with too much work to do.
Corowa now takes on East Albury at Ball Park where the loser can be eliminated.
C Grade Div 1
The veteran and the skipper have guided Corowa C-Grade (Division 1) to a thrilling victory in week one of the finals.
Coming together with more than 20 runs to get, the final wicket partnership of Greg Burgess (15*) and Blayre Smith (3*) got the job done under immense pressure to guarantee Corowa’s progression.
Batting at No.11 due to injury, Burgess took on the field while Smith held his end up as Corowa reached the 174 target in the 36th over.
The win was set up by the Howlong connection – Baxter Macfarlane (51) and Mitch Ladd 38) – who came in with Corowa at a dire 3/5.
The duo stabilised the innings to put Corowa back in the game.
Macfarlane hit his maiden career half-century with seven boundaries, including one maximum, driving with aggression and pulling with courage to bring up the milestone at more than a-run-a-ball.
Ladd played the anchor, grinding down the visitors’ attack, but also made the highlights reel with a towering six over mid-on.
Small but important contributions from Matt Goodall (21, with two consecutive sixes), Ollie Collins (16) and Max Groeneweld (7) got the home side within striking distance before the veteran and the skipper produced their heroics.
Earlier, a mixed fielding performance saw Corowa hold Baranduda to an about-par total.
Like in the run chase, which featured two ducks and a mix-up runout, Corowa was less than perfect with seven catches going down – including three off Baranduda’s top run scorer (who made 81).
But they did enough with opening quicks Caleb Kuschert (2/21) and Danny Osborne (2/35) delivering two strong spells each and hitting the stumps four times between them.
Burgess was tidy, bowling through his rib injury, while Goodall was economical and unlucky – both claiming one apiece.
Cody Kuschert and offie Smith toiled without luck but never made it easy for Baranduda.
The two runouts were crucial, Burgess’s quick thinking in close delivering the first and Caleb Kuschert’s strong arm from the outfield the second.
Despite the grassed catches, two good ones were held via John Conroy at long-off and Collins at point.
A gutsy win that means Corowa will host Lavington for a ticket to the big dance.
Under 16’s
Under 16’s had the bye and take on East Albury on Wednesday and Friday to make the Grand Final.
Under 14’s Div 1
Corowa successfully chased down a target of 137, overcoming a slow start to secure a well-earned victory.
The innings began cautiously as the Corowa batters took time to settle.
Callan Corcoran was the first major contributor, making a solid 25 before falling to a spectacular catch right on the boundary.
Jagger Doody worked hard for his 18, riding his chances as Corowa looked to build momentum in the chase.
Archie Rhodes then provided the backbone of the innings, steadying the side and making the most of his opportunities.
Rhodes played a composed knock to finish unbeaten on 53, guiding Corowa closer to the target.
It was a strong team effort with every player getting an opportunity to bat.
The winning runs came in fitting fashion when Abe Spencer top-edged a delivery that raced away for four, sealing the victory for Corowa.
Under 12’s Div 1
12s Black wrapped up their final home-and-away game with a great team performance, finishing 4/99 to defeat Lavington’s 7/46.
Solid contributions with the bat came from Oscar Amor (18), Jake Rhodes (17), Kobe Raggett (12) and Jobe Ollington, while Tex Rhodes, Hugh Hicks and Archer Hicks all added valuable runs to help the team reach a strong total.
Ollie Bedford came out to face the last ball, went for a ramp shot…got bowled, delivering an entertaining minute for the crowd.
Coach Billy also had a great vision for the final round, giving the brother combinations a chance to bat together.
Jake and Tex Rhodes shared the crease, and both retired after their 20 balls, before Hugh and Archer Hicks came together and batted brilliantly, with young Archer taking the majority of the strike.
It was fantastic to see both sets of brothers out there together, creating some awesome memories.
With the ball, it was a real team effort with Tyler Mullavey (2/7) leading the way, while Jake Rhodes, Zach Playford, Bill Smith and Hugh Hicks all picked up a wicket each.
Kobe Raggett, Oscar Amor, Archer Hicks, Tex Rhodes, Ollie Bedford and Jobe Ollington also bowled well and kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
A great way to finish the regular season, with the boys now looking ahead to Finals Round 1 this Friday night.
Good luck boys!
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, Greenacres Motel, Corowa Furnishing and Floors, Wiesners, First Scaff, Naubro, Back on Track Physiotherapy, Corowa Curtain & Decor, Corowa Meats, TH Kitchens Joinery, KB Wilson Seeds and Corowa RSL Club.