After all six senior Thunder Cricket Teams won their matches two weeks ago and were then washed out the following weekend, all the players were looking forward to a sunny weekend with wins on their minds.
But the old saying, “That’s cricket for you- always unpredictable,” seemed to suit the eventual results. The weekend had turned out be sunny but wins for the Thunder teams were almost non-existent.
First grade
The match at Caboolture on Saturday against the old adversary, The Snakes showed that the standard this season is a couple of pegs up on last year. The Caboolture team, which has been the benchmark for a number of seasons, has recruited a couple more Brisbane-based players and from their performances to date, it is certain they will be right up there when it comes to the finals in March.
Caboolture won the toss and batted first on a dry pitch with the outfield looking the best it has been for years.
All the Tewantin-Noosa bowlers toiled hard, but wickets were hard to come by with very few chances offered. Overall the team did well to keep them to 258 although the Thunder’s ground fielding was a bit off and they scored 20 more than they should have.
Dom Taylor was the pick of the bowlers taking 2-38 off his 10 overs.
Thunder’s run chase did not start well with opener Lewis Waugh going in the third over. Ben Laughlin continued with what is now a weekly firework’s display in another brilliant 50 off 32.
Ben Claypole (42) and Andrew Kratzmann (28) consolidated through the middle, both batting very well. However, the run rate was always the problem and requiring 120 off the last 20 overs proved too much and the boys were all out for 189.
There were some pleasing aspects for the team from the match but again, the middle order was found wanting and improvement and more commitment will be needed in their next match against Nambour at Read Park next Saturday.
Second grade
The team is one of the youngest the club has fielded for some time and contained three debutants.
Regardless of this, the team is confident and keen to do well this season. Bowling first against Palmwoods at Read Park, the Thunder openers were a little offline, bowling on a very docile wicket.
The Palmwoods batsmen seem to be getting on top until Talon Reichert took the first of his two wickets, followed by one to Tiernan Crowley, his first for the club.
At drinks they were 2-87. Tyron De Kauwe bowled some good areas and tied them down, then Joshua Christensen got his first wicket in twos! Despite every effort in the field, the visitors put 221 runs on the board from their 40 overs.
In reply, Nigel Webster hit a well-constructed 67 bringing up his 50 with a six into the tree. Cooper Lea continued his good form with 28 and Dan Cooke added 15. The run rate started to climb but the team kept at it, eventually falling short of the target.
Next week the team is away against Caboolture.
Third grade
Playing at Palmwoods, the boys decided to bat first on a very suspect wicket. After a reasonable start, wickets tumbled, and the team was 4 for 61 after 20 overs. Then it was 6 for 80 off 25.
Captain Ben Shaw joined in and scrapped well to produce a great 42 helping the team to a below par total of 142
Bowling second the boys decided to attack and after Ben Shaw took a wicket in the first over, the game was on. In the third over a fieldsman dropped the other opener and from there it wasn’t until the 15th over that another wicket fell.
Palmwoods were then 3-65 and the game was in the balance. The team kept at it but eventually the small total of 142 could not stop the inevitable loss. Sam O’Neil took two wickets and Alex Morgan and Ben Shaw one each.
Next week the team is at home against Maroochydore.
Fifth grade
Won the match on a forfeit.
Sixth grade
Playing Nambour at home, the team scored 158 with top scorers Tony Watson 55 and Brendan Chaplin 17. It was a very close finish but Nambour eventually scored the required runs with just one wicket to spare. Best bowlers for Thunder were Shane Gesell 3-38 and Graham Chaplin 3-23.
Next Saturday the team will be playing Caloundra at their home ground.
Women’s grade
The women played Glasshouse Rangers under lights last Saturday night with two wins already in the bag.
Sent into bat, they lost wickets early, but then captain Petrina went onto to score 26 which was the first time she has been out this season. Kirsty finally found some runs and retired on 20.
Mieke, Te, Rebel, Kaye and Melinda all added to the score with Thunder finishing 4-101.
The girls were looking good when Shannae and Kirsty both took wickets in the first two overs and then they were 4-45 in the 10th over.
On the hot humid night the ground got very dewy, and the ball became slippery. In the 18th over Glasshouse had lost seven of their eight wickets but had some big hitters in their tail and managed to pass the Thunder’s score. Petrina finished with 4-24 and Shannae 1-6. A great night game but the girls fell just short of the chocolates.
Mat Thornhill wicket
During the week the synthetic wicket at Mat Thornhill oval was replaced, thanks to generous donations by the Tewantin-Noosa RSL and Queensland Cricket. Young, under 13 bowler, Lewis Ramsden christened the wicket by taking a wicket on the first ball bowled in the first match played on the wicket, against Coolum.
Great effort Lewis!!
Junior grades
Under 17s – went down to Caloundra in their two-day match.
Under 15sA- defeated Coolum by 62 runs.
Under 13As – lost to Nambour.
Under 13B North – defeated Coolum Sharks by 55 runs.
