Charlie Humphrey playing for the Queensland Bulls during the JLT One-Day Cup 2018 between Queensland and Tasmania at Riverway Stadium in Townsville. Photo AAP.
With early season unavailabilities, a young Corowa side faced a challenging Round 1 match up against an equally young Wodonga Raiders at Ball Park last Saturday for the first round of the 2024/25 CAW Provincial Season.
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Coorwa had just three players from last season’s grand final defeat, and seven players 18 or younger.
However, Corowa entered the match full of promise, as the young side was bolstered by the addition of new recruits in Shaun Smith and Charlie Hemphrey.
A raft of locals did an excellent job to produce a round 1 wicket at Ball Park that looked to offer a bit for both bat and ball. After captain Ben Mitchell did his best Jarryd Hatton impression by losing the toss, Corowa was bowling first.
Under clear blue skies, the most experienced pace bowler Nick Grant took the new ball. However, any inclination that Grant could work his way into the new season quickly vanished as Wodonga Raiders signing Kane Hawkins made his intentions clear, blasting three sixes and two fours in the first four overs for a quick fire 34 off 17 deliveries.
This prompted captain Mitchell to make an early change, injecting coach Dan “Pump” Anthanitis into the attack in the fifth over, with immediate success.
Shaun Smith introduced himself as a high-quality recruit with an elite stumping to remove the dangerous Hawkins.
This changed the momentum significantly, with other opening bowler Ethan Lane producing an excellent opening spell under pressure at the other end, and the re-introduction of Grant into the attack, Corowa tightened the screws on the fast-starting Raiders.
The pitch was not offering a lot for the pace bowlers, so Ben Mitchell brought himself into the attack, and the spin onslaught from Athanitis, Mitchell and Angus Massey began.
The trio dried up the scoring and picked up useful wickets along the way, slowing Raiders down to have them 5-104. On debut, Angus Williams bowled a promising spell, showing good speed and bounce to have the Raider batsmen uncomfortable.
Another debutant Tyler Abley also asserted his presence with an outstanding fielding display, being involved in the outfield and infield and was rewarded with a sharp run-out.
Unfortunately for Corowa, they couldn’t capitalise on having Raiders slump to 7-111 as the visitors’ Jack Stewart compiled a patient 63 and was unselfishly run out on the final ball.
Stewart anchored the innings and allowed Raiders to post a competitive total of 171.
All of Corowa’s wickets came through spin and run-outs, with Ben Mitchell (3-29), Dan Athanitis (2-18) and Charlie Hemphrey (1-18) doing the damage.
Corowa’s batting innings looked to get off to a fast start similar to Raiders as Ben Mitchell lofted the third ball over cover, however there were to be no similar heroics as he was caught behind off the following delivery.
Blake Keenes played some nice shots in a patient partnership with fellow long-limbed batsman Jarred Lane.
Keenes’ departure saw Shaun Smith come to the crease, whose short stay showed great promise, before he was unluckily out as the ball bounced off every part of him and eventually onto the stumps.
Corowa’s other recruit Charlie Hemphrey looked very comfortable at the crease, but his stay was also cut short for 16 after he was dismissed through an excellent catch by Raiders overseas player James Hodkinson.
With the majority of their experienced batsmen back in the Ball Park pavilion, Corowa’s young players utilised their opportunity to make a statement, with Angus Massey top scoring with 25, and Ethan Lane playing some excellent attacking shots.
Unfortunately for Corowa, there was no one able to go on and make a big score, and thus they fell 52 runs short.
The side will be much better for the opening round clash.
The brigade of young players all showed great promise and played their role when required, which will make selections very competitive with multiple senior players to return in the coming weeks. Recruits Charlie and Shaun were also a great influence on the team and we look forward to seeing them succeed throughout the season.
C Grade starts this Saturday, while the Under 16s & Under 12s begin on Friday, October 25 and Under 14s start on Saturday, October 26.
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, BJ Hanrahan Family Trust, Thrifty, Corowa Furnishing and Floors & Corowa RSL Club.
About the new recruits
Charlie Hemphrey
Charlie Humphrey was born in Doncaster UK; his rise to professional cricket happened in extremely rare circumstances.
After playing second XI cricket for numerous county sides in England, Humphrey moved to Brisbane and began playing premier cricket where his standout performances led him to debut for Queensland in 2015, a first class career that spanned 6 years, over 2500 runs and stints with both Queensland and Glamorgan in Wales.
Humphrey became the first English-born cricketer to score a first first-class century in Australia since 1978 and was a pivotal player for Queensland and Glamorgan throughout a successful career.
Shaun Smith
Shaun Smith raises his bat after reaching 50 in the final against Western Australia at the under-17 national cricket championships, as part of the NSW Country side. Photo: Dylan Burns Photography.
Shaun Smith joins Corowa travelling from Gundagai and after playing the majority of his cricket with Wagga, he is looking to progress this further afield.
Already a well-known name in the NSW pathway program, Smith is an extremely talented wicketkeeper/batsman who is destined for higher honours.
Selected in the NSW Under 19s squad of 25 earlier this year and played a pivotal role for NSW Country 17's, at the National Championships that they went on to win.
Smith was named as one of the players of the carnival.
Smith is also playing PGs, (Poidevin-Gray Shield), currently for Eastern Suburbs cricket club in Sydney under our very own Daniel Smith.
