DOUBLE (NO) TROUBLE
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Corowa captain Daniel Athanitis has played a stack of cricket, mainly at Yarrawonga-Mulwala, but also Cricket Albury-Wodonga, and admits he's never played in a game where the winning team has had just one player in double figures.
"(Laughs) It was a a bit remarkable, we had to bowl well, which we did," he said.
Corowa was skittled by Lavington for just 101 from 41.4 overs, with Athanitis making a patient 45. Sundries was next on nine.
FINE LINE
Corowa had the ideal provincial debut with that one-run win, but the club quickly learned some lessons on wides.
The home team conceded 16 sundries (Lavington's third highest score), including five no-balls and six wides.
"In the district there was a bit more leeway, but provincial works on the one-day international rules, where if the ball is down the leg side (and misses the batsman's pads or body), it's a wide."
Corowa plays its first away game against preliminary finalists Albury on Saturday.
SOLE SIX
Lavington's Nathan Brown can hold his head high after the loss.
Brown claimed 3-16 from 10 overs and then top-scored with 31 from 34 balls, including three boundaries and a six.
That six was the only one from the match, so Brown will forever hold the record for hitting the first six at Corowa's Ball Park at provincial level.
While the home team had only one player in double figures, the Panthers had just two with former Corowa player and opener Matt Heagney posting 20.
TOUGH WICKETS
Rain in the days leading up to round one had an impact on pitch preparation with the two Victorian-based games washed out.
Tallangatta's home game against Wodonga Raiders and Belvoir's home clash against Wodonga were declared draws,
Belvoir's Kelly Park had a handful of soft spots where the bowler would land and was therefore unsafe, while the wicket and bowlers' run-ups at Tallangatta's Rowen Park were wet.
Fortunately, none of the four clubs were scheduled for the second round bye.
WHITE STUFF
East Albury captain Brett Davies was full of praise after number 11 batsman Cameron White held his nerve to help the team to a one-wicket win over St Patrick's.
White batted only twice last season in 19 matches.
"He's the ultimate team man, Whitey," Davies offered.
"He's the first one to give everyone else an opportunity, but on a Tuesday and Thursday he bats every week and when it's his time to stand up, he's a champion.
"He's exactly what East Albury is all about."
White finished four not out.
ALSO IN SPORT:
PRAV'S PATH
And Davies also has plenty of time for teenage leg-spinner Praveen Pathmanathan.
He snared 2-31 in that thrilling home win over St Patrick's.
"Prav's a little star," Davies enthused.
"He's got great control of his leggies, I've got a lot of belief in him, he came on and got two top order sticks (the Patties' leading run-scorer last season in Mitch O'Brien and captain Dean Nicholson)."
Davies confirmed he and fellow teen Coby Fitzsimmons, also a leggie, are the top spin options.