Full return for Korumburra as all three grades hit the field

By Korumburra Cricket Club

COBRAS took the field for the first time this season with A Grade up against MDU, B and C Grade facing Nerrena, and in our junior ranks, the U17s taking on Inverloch while our U15 combined side with Nyora met Wonthaggi/Glen Alvie. We also proudly welcomed new players Rueben Foster, Liam Maskell, and Billy Dourley to the club for their first games, along with Flynn Belvedere, stepping up from the juniors for his senior debut.

A Grade – Korumburra 8/168 def. MDU 7/165: MDU batted first and got away to a strong start before we fought back well through the middle and late overs, restricting them to 7/165. Mitch Young was the pick of the bowlers with 3/43, while Jacob Whiteside, returning after a 12-month injury layoff, impressed with 2/25. Aaron Damon and Harry McNeill each claimed a wicket. 

Our openers came out firing after the break, putting on a superb 102-run opening stand. Caleb Turton, a rising young batsman at the top of the order, provided a steady anchor with 24 off 56 balls, allowing Rumesh Rangana to unleash a blistering 76 off just 52 balls. After a few quick wickets, Jason Richards steadied the ship with a composed 27 (40), supported by Mitch Young with 18. In the closing stages, new senior player Rueben Foster sealed the win in style, striking two boundaries to take the Cobras home at 8/168, with three overs to spare. 

B Grade – Korumburra 8/77 lost to Nerrena 2/78: Batting first, we lost a couple of early wickets before Trevor Allen (14) and Shane (18) steadied the innings. Unfortunately, both retired hurt due to injury setbacks, leaving us under pressure. Debutant Liam Maskell showed great composure in his first senior game, battling hard for 14 off 65 balls, while Phil Richards supported well with 10 off 52, guiding us to 8/77 at the close. 

With thanks to the Nerrena lads who helped us field a full side, we took to the field with plenty of spirit. Nerrena started strongly, but a bowling change saw Owen Maskell and Noah Belvedere apply pressure and take a wicket each, thanks to tight, disciplined bowling. A big thank you to Symmo and Jacko from Nerrena for helping out in the field – true community spirit on show. 

C Grade – Korumburra 10/84 lost to Nerrena 9/121: Bowling first, the Cobras made early inroads as Bryce Riddell and Tom Sorrell struck immediately, reducing Nerrena to 3/9. However, a strong middle-order partnership rescued their innings before we fought back late to restrict them to 121. Bryce Riddell was 
outstanding with 3/9 off 7 overs, while young talent Flynn Belvedere, up from the U13s for his senior debut, impressed with 2/16 – congratulations, Flynn! Our chase was hampered by early wickets, with

Rob Belvedere (20 off 80) and Rhys Butler (21 off 52) the only batsmen to find any rhythm. We were eventually dismissed for 84, but congratulations to Rhys on recording a personal best with the bat.

U17 – Korumburra 5/107 def. Inverloch 6/103 The U17: Cobras bowled first and were outstanding with the ball. Jayden Douglas led the way with 3/7, supported by a wicket each to George Edwards, William Dourley, and Billie Wrigley, keeping a strong Inverloch lineup to 6/103. In reply, Levi Gooch set the tone early with a powerful 28 off 29 balls, including three big sixes. Evan Belvedere then finished the job with a quickfire 29 off 22, featuring two fours and a six, steering the Cobras home in the final over.

U15 – Korumburra/Nyora 6/81 lost to Wonthaggi/Glen Alvie 2/106: A tough first-up game for our U15s saw us post 6/81 from our 20 overs. Tristan Dowel (15) and Elijah Le Serve (16) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. In the field, Tristan also picked up a wicket, while Flynn Belvedere effected a sharp run-out. A strong effort from the boys to kick off the season with plenty to build on.