Ben Mitchell…a brilliant 57 not out. Photo by Rob Lacey.
By Robert Muir and Matt Wilson
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With an eight-wicket win over East Albury last Saturday – its second such result in consecutive weeks – Corowa will play Lavington at the Lavington Sports Ground grand-final this Saturday, starting at 11.30am.
“It’s a great effort to be in our first grand-final in the CAW in our fourth season,” Corowa Cricket Club President Paul Lavis told The Free Press.
“We’re in form and looking forward to the big one. Dan Christian will be back.”
At home last Saturday in front of an excellent home crowd, Corowa dismissed East Albury for 103, after the visitors were travelling nicely at 3-94.
But a sensational collapse followed, with the last seven wickets falling for just nine runs.
Corowa captain Jarryd Hatton was enormous, capturing 3-11 from eight overs. Mark Athanitis returned brilliant figures of 4-3. Daniel Athanitis took 1-19 off 10. All bowlers bowled extremely well, and the use of bowlers was spot-on.
“East Albury were 2 for 82 so we introduced spin to slow it up a bit. It worked really well which was very pleasing,” Hatton said.
“Dan Athanitis, Ben Mitchell, Jack Eales were terrific. And Mark’s four overs of medium pace cutters was also terrific.”
Batting-wise, Opener Ben Mitchell was tremendous, hitting an unbeaten 57 from just 53 balls.
“We’ve come good at the right time and good sides do that,” Hatton told The Free Press.
Jarryd Hatton 3-11 from eight overs of real pace.
“I’m just very, very proud of the club and each and every one of the boys, We’ve been able to blood a lot of youth throughout the season.”
The dynamic captain has plenty of respect for this Saturday’s opposition. “We’ve got a lot of respect for Lavington and that cricket club,” Hatton said. “It’s pretty impressive.
“We’re playing with confidence. We just have to keep on keeping on. What our community has gone through with the floods and we being without a cricket ground for half of last season, it’s great we’re playing in this year’s grand-final.”
The Roos’ captain was thrilled to see such a good crowd at Ball Park.
“To see hundreds of people and putting smiles on their faces made us players happy,” Hatton said.
“I don’t think any other cricket club around the area has that much following.”
Ready for the big one…superstar allrounder Dan Christian. Rob Lacey Photography.
Blessed with perfect cricketing conditions last Saturday and arguably the best batting deck our curators have produced for the season, East Albury won the toss and elected to bat.
Hatton led from the front. Corowa's bowling attack started off strongly, Hatton leading by example, claiming Gagan Singh's early wicket thanks to the safe hands of Patrick Lavis. Matt Tom was joined by Crows captain Miles Peterson, with the pair soaking up balls and slowly building towards a par score.
Hatton was well supported by the tight bowling of Nick Grant, Jay Lavis, Pumpa Athanitis, Ben Mitchell and Kade Wilson.
East Albury were on 57 when Kade Wilson caught the edge of Peterson thanks to some unbelievable glove work from Matt Wilson.
Daniel Athanitis also played a significant role with the ball, maintaining a tight line and picking up a vital ‘caught and bowled’ wicket of Ayush Verma. He finished his 10-over spell with figures of 1 wicket for 19 runs, adding pressure on the opposition batsmen.
Wow! Mark Athanitis 4-3 off 2.5 overs.
Hatts followed Pump's brilliance and looked deadly with his yorkers, soon dismissing Matt Tom for 42 runs from 101 balls. At this point in the game, East Albury was at 97 runs when the Greek Freak Derrick ‘Bendy’ Athanitis arrived at the crease.
The fan favourite got an LBW dismissal of Caleb Hobbs for 5 runs. At this point, the game fell in our hands; however, the foot stayed on the throat, and Hatton and Lavis continued their solid bowling with a wicket each, both going behind keeper Matt Wilson.
Hatton, Lavis and Mark Athanitis rounded out the innings beautifully, with our boys bowling East Albury out for 103 off 41.5 overs.
Notable mentions go to Hatts (3 for 11 off 8) and Mark Athanitis (4 for 3 off 2.5 overs).
With a very gettable total, our boys were not in a hurry to start the innings out with a bang. Ben Mitchell and Patrick Lavis led the way with class shots in all areas of the ground from the get-go.
Partnering with Mitchell in a vital partnership, Patrick Lavis contributed a valuable 19 runs with a strike rate of 107 before being dismissed. Lavis exhibited glimpses of his batting talent, striking the ball cleanly during his time at the crease.
Grantham joined Mitchell out in the middle, also showing his class accompanying Mitchell with Grantham looking extremely comfortable before being bowled out for 17 at a strike rate of 44.
Matt Wilson joined Mitchell at the crease, with, Matthew Wilson providing quick runs, remaining unbeaten on 8 runs from just 6 deliveries. His innings, at a strike rate of 133.33, ensured that Corowa were able to chase down their target of 104.
Congratulations to Ben Mitchell who led the way with the bat to round out the innings with 57 no, which comprised of 6 fours and 2 sixers at a strike rate of 107.
The crowd on Saturday was unbelievable, which is a tribute to the huge support we get from our great community.
The club encourages everyone to make the trek to Lavington to support the boys in the grand final this Saturday at Lavington Sports Ground. Let’s bring that community support to Lavington on Saturday to get our boys over the line with the addition of Dan Christian to the team.
Under 16s
On Wednesday night the Under 16s boys took on Wodonga Raiders in the grand final. Losing the toss and bowling first, it didn’t take long for the boys to break hrough.
Joe Lavis knocked over the stumps with the second ball of the day. Jack Torney then followed suit dismantling the stumps the very next over. Two of the Raider’s key batsmen then entered the ground.
The pair settled in and the boys were in need of a breakthrough. The spin duo of Brodie Eyers and Tyler Abley then were thrown the ball. Tyler created chances as Leroy Chester ran back and took a catch to remove a key partnership.
The score fell to 3/40 after 17 overs. Brodie Eyers then took a wicket soon after with an lbw.
With Wodonga’s key batsman still in the middle it was game on. Tyler Abley proved too much for the opposition as he removed the main man, Chad Brookes. Tyler finished with 3 for 5 off his 6 overs.
Another amazing spell from Tyler. Levi Phibbs Joined in taking a wicket also. Raiders were 7 for 98. Eli Lavis then removed the tail taking 3 wickets at the end of the innings. Eli Finished with 3 for 8 off his 6 overs.
Raiders were bowled out for 107 at the 37th over. On Tuesday night the boys will give it their all the chase the runs and bring the cup home. Get down and support the boys at Ball Park 4.45pm.
Under 14s Div 1
Corowa travelled to North Street Oval in East Albury for the Under 14 Grand Final. East Albury won the toss and sent Corowa into bat. Eli and Riley opened the batting and got Corowa off to an excellent start to reach 27 without loss at the first change of ends.
The runs continued to flow from the bat with their driving down the ground a pleasure to watch from both boys. Eli was run out for 27 with the score on 58, Austin joined Riley and the boys got through until drinks with the score on 68, an excellent session from Corowa.
East Albury introduced leg spin from both ends and together with some excellent fielding started to regain control.
Austin was out for 6 trying to loft the ball down ground with score on 72.
Riley was out soon after getting a leading edge and being caught at mid-off.
Will Massey followed in a similar fashion for one, with Corowa now teetering at 4/74.
Blake Collins joined Harry Norman in the middle with both looking comfortable with Blake crushing anything on his legs to the boundary.
Blake mistimed a drive and was caught at mid-off for 9. Franklin Joined Harry Norman in the middle with the boys starting to build a nice partnership before Harry was nicked off for 4 with the score 6/95.
Will Forrest, Jacob Wilson, and Harry Webb all fell in the same over 9/95. Some lusty hitting from Franklin saw Corowa reach 103 before Franklin was bowled for 15. A disappointing result considering such a bright start.
After a strong warm up, the Sunday morning had the Corowa Boys ready to rumble but unfortunately that’s where the fun ended.
East Albury took advantage of errant bowling from Corowa and got on top early. The bowlers continued to try hard but dropping some tough chances in the field proved costly. East Albury passed the score losing only one wicket.
Congratulations to the boys for a wonderful year only losing two games for the year both to East Albury. Also, congratulations to Eli Lavis for winning the league Bowling Aggregate.
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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