Corowa High are the Riverina champions after defeating Narrandera High School in the annual Davidson Shield cricket competition.

Fourteen eager and enthusiastic students made the trip to Narrandera, all determined to uphold the school’s proud record, an impressive undefeated streak spanning the last seven years.

The match was originally scheduled to be played at Marie Bashir Park on a turf wicket.

However, after an early morning inspection, the pitch was unfortunately deemed unsafe for play due to moisture underneath the surface.

As a result, a last-minute change of venue was required, with the match relocated to the local high school grounds.

The new setting meant the teams would now be playing on a synthetic wicket — a surface that posed its own unique challenges, particularly for our bowlers who rely heavily on movement and bounce from a traditional turf wicket.

Once the ground was set and both teams had completed their warm-ups, Narrandera won the toss and elected to bat first.

Our bowlers were tasked with setting the tone early, and they certainly rose to the occasion. Despite the fast-paced outfield and lively surface, our opening bowlers kept a tight line and length, making scoring difficult.

Early pressure paid off as we struck with some quick wickets, putting the opposition on the back foot.

Eli Lavis was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 21. Callan Corcoran was equally effective, claiming 3 for 16 from his spell, using clever variations and maintaining relentless pressure throughout.

Supported by some excellent fielding efforts, including sharp catches and tidy work in the deep, the team bowled Narrandera out for 97 runs from 29 overs.

With a target of 98 runs to chase, our focus shifted to building a solid start with the bat. Joe and Austin opened the innings with confidence, though unfortunately, Austin fell early for a duck.

Joe, however, anchored the innings superbly, displaying patience and smart shot selection. He top-scored with a well-constructed 31 runs, guiding the side through the early stages and setting up a platform for the middle order.

As wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, the game began to tighten, with the required run rate creeping up slightly.

Thankfully, Rhylee Barber entered the crease at a crucial moment and steadied the innings with composure beyond his years. His calm approach, mixed with a few timely boundaries, saw him guide the team home in partnership with the lower order.

In the end, Corowa reached the target comfortably, securing a well-earned victory and continuing their unbeaten run in the Davidson Shield competition.

The result reflects not only the team’s skill and determination but also their ability to adapt to challenging conditions and support one another under pressure.

The team now progresses to the next stage of the competition, where they will face opponent to be decided.

Corowa Free Press Google News Panels

Thursday, 30th March 2028

Your Morning Headlines

Select Stories

Publish Panels