In the second last round of fixture matches the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder senior cricket teams performed above expectations.
Four of the teams registered wins, placing them all in good positions to play finals, commencing in early March.
But the standout match was where the First Graders scored 456 runs for the loss of only three wickets off 96 overs.
If the Thunder batsmen had been able to face one more over it is certain that three of their batsmen would have registered centuries. As it was Ben Laughlin scored 157, Ben Claypole 101 and youngster Cody Pyne was left stranded on 91 when the umpires called stumps.
FIRST GRADE: On Day 2 of their match, the Firsts found themselves batting after Glasshouse declared their innings closed setting a target of 308 from 96 overs for first innings points. With the pitch and ground as good for batting as it had been for years the team were very confident. And the confidence was well founded with the day’s cricket revolving around two big batting partnerships, one of 204 and the other an unbroken 179.
Openers Lewis Waugh and Ben Laughlin started cautiously to be 19 off the first 13 overs. They went through the gears leading up to lunch to be 100 after the first session. Then after lunch they opened up increasing the scoring rate dramatically. Ben passed 100 for the first time with some brutal 360-degree scoring and the 200 partnership was brought up before Waugh (72) went to a leg side stumping.
Laughlin was joined by last week’s century maker Ben Claypole who looked at ease from ball one. Laughlin went for 157 (20 fours and five sixes) in an amazing innings with the score on 243 with the game effectively over and making over half the runs himself.
The next wicket fell for 3-277 which brought together Benny Claypole and Cody Pyne and what followed was a 26 over unbroken partnership of 179. Claypole bringing up back-to-back 100s with Pyne finishing on 91 not out.
The day ended with Thunder at 3 down for 456 and had been an unbelievable day to watch. The pitch can be as flat as you want but you still have to score the runs. Thunder now have three of the top five and four of the top 10 run scorers in the competition. Building nicely for the finals.
Next week they are at Maroochydore to take on the ladder leaders in the final scheduled match of the season.
The incredible home winning run now extends to 29 wins since the club’s last loss at Read Park.
SECONDS: The team lost on the first innings to Glasshouse. The Rangers scored 253 and the Thunder batters were no match. Eventually they were all out for a disappointing 116. Best scorers for Thunder were Jarred Davis 36 and Max Cooper 27.
THIRDS: At the start of Day 2 it was clear that Caloundra was in no mood to chase down Thunder’s first innings score of 240. Wickets fell consistently with Thunder’s effort in the field top class on a hot day. Caloundra was all out for 126 and Thunder enforced the follow on, hoping to gain some much-needed points.
It did not pan out as hoped and Caloundra’s big hitters found their form second time around and at stumps the Thunder bowlers had only been able to take one wicket.
All in all, the Tewantin-Noosa boys played great cricket over the two days, deserved the win and the points which has placed them in third place with a game to go. Best bowling figures- Richard Lee 4-35, Luke Anstey 2-35, Finn Mayo 3-18 and Ethan Stanley 1-17. Their final match before the finals is against Nambour starting next Saturday.
FIFTHS: Back at Yandina for Day 2 and defending a first innings score of 226 from Day 1, Rory Ramsden got the early breakthrough after a tactical change of ends. Farran Cooke also bowled very tightly, and he and Rory Ramsden took the first five wickets between them to have Yandina in trouble at 5-17 in the 15th over.
Yandina then put together a solid partnership before Rory struck again straight after the tea break with Yandina on 74. From there Yandina tried to hit their way out of trouble with the remaining wickets picked up by Jayke Carlile (2-17) and Sam O’Neill (1/9) to see Yandina all out for 117. Rory’s 9 over spell included seven maidens to finish on 4-5.
The last hour saw Thunder return to the crease to put on a further 58 runs for some much-needed points with the run into the finals. Kent Officer, returning from the Caribbean where he had played in the Australian Over 60 touring team, remained not out on 42.
Next weekend is another must win game against Cooroy-Eumundi at Read Park in the final round to make the finals.
SIXTHS: On Day 1 the Thunder Sixes had dismissed the USC team for 32, then declared themselves at 2 for 82 and bowled again to USC who at stumps were 2-16.
Day 2 started where Day 1 finished, and Thunder were quickly into the Uni batters. Low scoring and quick wickets had all the Sixers on the front foot, and USC was bowled out for 68. This left Thunder 27 to secure the outright win and the target was reached in eight overs.
Every player had done their part with best bowling figures to Graham Chaplin 5-12, Wayne Moore 1-11, Justin Talbot 2-5, Shane Gesell 1-1 and Justin Latimer 1-17. Craig Moore stumped three batsmen off Chaplin who was on a hat trick at one stage.
The boys have secured a finals spot again this year and are confident they can carry their form through the last game against Landsborough over the next two Saturdays and into the finals.
UNDER 17S: The team had a big win against Cooroy-Eumundi which sees them finish the season in fourthth place. Next weekend they take on Caloundra in the first semi-final.
Great season so far for the boys and they are gathering momentum and confidence.
UNDER 15S: The final match for the season was a 30 over hit-out against Coolum. Thunder scored 166 and Coolum replied with 147. Although the team just miss out on finals finishing 5th on the ladder, they have not lost a game since early December. Great momentum to take into next season with the majority of the team able to play U15s again.
