Noosa cricket strong season start

Thunder women's team won against USC in a nail-biting match. (Supplied)

This season Tewantin Noosa cricket club boasts strong teams through our First, Second, Third and Sixth Division men’s and Second Division women. After struggling with older junior numbers, combined Noosa District teams with Cooroy Cricket Club have been formed for under 17’s and 15’s with a smattering of younger juniors and seniors having joined. It is great to see the clubs’ ongoing partnership develop and strengthen teams at both clubs. Our clubs can’t work without the tireless efforts of our volunteers. We are always in need of great people to help around the club so if you know anyone or want to volunteer yourself, please don’t hesitate.

First Grade

First grade travelled to Maroochydore taking on the second Maroochydore side in a one-day game. Welcoming back Scorchers young gun Zac Murray added to an already strong side. After losing the toss, the openers were sent in to deal with a wicket which would not have been out of place in England. Samuel Dennien and Samadhi Baker got us off to a great start seeing off the first 10 overs off before Samadhi stupidly got himself out for 24. Sam upped the run rate, scoring fluently in partnership with Ben Claypole (32). Unfortunately, a few quick wickets fell in a bunch and when Sam went for stylishly compiled 74, the team had fallen from 3/160 to 7/180. Andrew Kratzmann (29) and Scott Aufderheide (30*) mustered an impressive rescue effort balancing power hitting with smart running and inventive shots to reach 9/241 after the full 50 overs. Scott’s first bat for 18 months (nets included) was ultra impressive! (And quietly he didn’t mind letting some of the opposition know about it). With plenty in the pitch we were happy with the score if not a bit disappointed not to have posted more after Sam’s great start. Scott and Tom Stewart took the new ball and when Maroochydore were 2/4 off 9 overs the game was pretty well over. A clinical display from our openers backed up by Zac coming on at first change and Michael Eckard miserly as usual both taking 2 for 8 off 6. Scott finishing 3 for 19 off 10 and Tommy 2 for 16 off 10. An unbelievable effort from the bowlers who beat the bat with absurd regularity. Maroochydore ended up all out 59 in the 33rd over.

Second Grade

Second Grade hosted USC in their first home game of the season in another day-nighter. After losing the toss, Tewantin was made to bowl on rock-hard pitch. Ben Giddy (4/33 off 7) got off to a great start, picking up wickets in his first and third overs, with Oliver Wilson (1/25 off 5.4) playing his part well in a great opening bowling partnership. Apart from a solid fourth wicket partnership for USC wickets fell with regularity due excellent fielding and a disciplined bowling display. Jarred Davis threatened with an exceptional line and length and Finn Mayo was able to reap the rewards at the other end picking up two wickets for himself. Joshua Christensen and Josh Peters built pressure with accurate bowling as well as USC were all out for 179 in the last over. The opening batters hung around but after a few wickets things looked dicey. Two talented young guns Joe Murray (34) and Rory Ramsden (38) settled the innings, batting with poise and cricketing smarts far beyond their years. Unfortunately, after getting the required run rate down to three an over 10 overs still to go they both fell simultaneously. Corey Flood and Jarred Davis tried to keep the momentum going, but as wickets kept falling the game fizzled out. The last batter out in the final over with 15 runs still to get. Overall, a much better performance than the previous week and lots of positives to away, most notably Rory making his best second grade contribution to date, on top of a ripper catch in the gully.

Third Grade

Division Three headed down the road to Caboolture. Their ground was smashed earlier this week with fierce hailstorm, so the pitch was tacky. We were asked to bat. Our line-up had six players under 20, a 20 year old and four 50 year old’s. Quite the spread!! Ben Blackwell and Max Cooper opened and were patient. The ball wasn’t coming on and had some tennis ball like bounce. Into the break the team was 1-62 with a gutsy effort from Max battling a back injury to compile a score of 36. After the break, Caboolture bowled tightly using the variable bounce to limit scoring. Wickets fell in clumps restricting the score to 117. Opener Reilly Carroll bowled some good balls with Farran Cooke taking an early wicket. Fighting hard and creating chances Tewantin took 6-40 after the break to be in contention for an improbable win. Best of the bowlers was Toby Hunting with 3-27 and was on a hattrick! Not enough runs lost the game, but the youngsters fought hard to the end!

Sixth Grade

Sixth grade hosted Caboolture who decided to bowl first and made good use of it taking 3/28. Bailey Hozier and Brandon Henderson steadied the innings, Bailey (22) hitting some big shots before going at the wrong one. David Lyons continued the momentum playing well for 26. The tail stuck at the job and steered the team to a competitive total of 139.

The team played with great energy in the field as the Snakes could find little to score off. They only got to 2/43 at drinks, and despite the climbing run rate never got going as we restricted them to 6/99 off 40. Brandon Henderson and Dante Cox made a lot of good stops and Cooper Withers combined with David Baker for a terrific run out. The skipper Wayne Moore 3/22 ( 8 ) and Brian Lee led the way with tight and clever bowling after drinks with David Lyons 1/13 ( 4 ) Justin Latimer 1/21 ( 8 ) continuing on. A good all-around effort to open the season with 2 wins!

Womens

Game 1 for the women’s team came down to a real nail-biter in Maroochydore with the Thunder defeating USC by one run with only one delivery remaining. Starting in the field, the openers Talei (2 for 3 off four including two straight maidens) and Bonnie bowled with pace and swing. The fielding was greatly improved from last year with new players Bec W, Kiera from the Pub and Zaylie all bowling with very good results to add to their fielding efforts. Chasing 110 running between the wickets was a focus area to work on, as identified by new coach Samadhi Baker. Bec W (21 retired) and Talei (29) set up the innings, Captain Trina had a rare light effort with the bat getting an unlucky lbw decision on 6. Sharon and Bec got the run rate back on track, with Bec and Kirsty finishing off the innings with one ball to spare. Great first game team!

Juniors

Great signs from both our combined U15 (The Shire Boys) and U17 Noosa District teams with day one of their two-day games completed and both teams in very strong positions.