Last weekend, the local cricket club, Tewantin-Noosa Thunder hosted the Mudgeeraba-Nerang club in three T20 games.
This club, from the Gold Coast, is a very big and successful outfit with nine senior teams and an Over 40s team. They brought a squad of 18 players up for the weekend with their first grade playing the first two games and the third game made up of a mix of first and second grade players.
Trial matches are all about giving as many players a bat and bowl as possible and the weekend achieved this objective.
Game 1 (Friday night)
The visitors scored 5 for 128. Top bowler for TNT was Jake Dennien 2/19. In reply, Thunder compiled only 5/115. Top scorers were Ben Laughlin 33 (25) and Josh Peters 23 (20).
Although only a trial match, the locals admitted they were a little lax and, in an effort to share the bowling around, the visitors scored 20 more than they should have. Thunder started well in the run chase but just fell short. It was pleasing to see Lachlan Webster as part of the team and great to see Talon Reichert’s improvement over the off season.
Game 2 (Saturday afternoon)
Tewantin-Noosa- 5/174. Top scorers were Jarrod Officer 87 (52), Jake Dennien 23 (18) and Ben Laughlin 22 (16)
Mudgeeraba-Nerang – 5/154
Best bowling figures -Scott Aufderheide 2/26, Ben Laughlin 1/12, Jake Dennien 1/15 and Talon Reichert 1/32
The home team was more focussed in this match and posted a good score off their 20 overs with five of the batsmen striking at over 125 (runs scored per 100 balls). The team also welcomed back two of last season’s top players, Lewis Waugh and Dom Taylor.
The visitors batted well but were never really in the run chase, falling 20 runs short of the target.
Game 3 (Saturday night)
With only four of the first grade boys backing up for the third match, it was going to be a challenge with the Thunder team being a genuine mix of all grades and ages. They started well with openers Waugh and Dennien getting some quality time in the middle before retiring at the 10 over mark after a couple of 10+ run overs and being ready to take the game away.
Teenager Will Cooke came out to bat and looked assured at the crease. The boys ended on128 which was a decent score but probably 15 or so short.
Top scorers were- Jake Dennien 42* (36), Lewis Waugh 25* (24) – Dom Taylor 28 (25) and teenager Will Cooke 9* (16). (* retired)
The Gold Coast team passed the target in the 19th over.
Ben Shaw opened the bowling with Lachlan Webster. Ben bowled two really good overs upfront and Lachie bounced back well in his second over. Talon Reichert, Dom Taylor and Jason Toohey bowled well through the middle to have the game in the balance. Finn Mayo, Ian Brundell and Will Cooke finished off bowling the last 7 overs and all really stepped up to the mark.
The games were really competitive with lots of positives to take out of the weekend. Fielding intensity was probably the difference in the two games that Thunder lost so something to work on there.
A big thanks to all of the supporters who came down to the games and the volunteers who helped behind the bar, cooking barbecues etc.
This week the club moved up another gear with training now to be held on Tuesday night as well as Thursdays.
First grade matches start on the weekend of 17 September.
Women’s team
The club is still intent on having a women’s team this season and anyone interested, regardless of age or experience, is encouraged to try out at the practice sessions which will be organised in the next few weeks. Contact at the club for more information about the women’s team is Ben Shaw- tncc-juniors@outlook.com
Junior training
Training has commenced for all juniors (Under 11 to Under 17s) and will continue next Thursday afternoon, September 1 and Tuesday September 6 at 4pm at Read Park. There is a need for all prospective players to register now as there is a fair amount of planning to be done before the season commences next month (8 October).
With the new A & B competition starting this season in U13 & U15, grading will be held during the first three training sessions.
