Corowa's Mark Athanitis 'playing on emotion' as he claims 5-15 against Albury

Playing for the first time this season, the medium-pacer was staring down the barrel after his Corowa side were skittled out for just 68 by Albury.

But Athanitis stunned the home side by taking five wickets from his first three overs, two of which were maidens.

He single-handedly removed Albury's top order, leaving the home side in tatters at 6-35.

"It was incredible," Corowa coach Jarryd Hatton said.

"Mark is a very clever bowler.

"His skill set is tailored to T20 and one-day cricket, given his variations and he's also very open to ideas.

"He's got good change-ups and his stock ball is still reasonably sharp.

"It was his first game of the year given he was in isolation last week but, to be honest, it didn't surprise me whatsoever with Mark.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve and plays on emotion.

"He's so handy to have, he's so passionate and it was a really good effort."

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Athanitis finished with 5-15 but Corowa slipped to their second defeat of the season after Todd Henderson rescued Albury with an unbeaten 31 off 22 balls.

"We had a really good chat after the game as a team and then as a leadership group," Hatton said.

"It was another really disappointing game with the bat.

"At the moment, there's too much of a gap between our high and our low so it's about finding a middle place where we can steady the ship.

"But we're a very young side and that will come."

Corowa's next game is at home to Lavington on Saturday.

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