Around the grounds
First grade went three from three this weekend winning comfortably in a one-dayer and taking out the two top ranked teams to win the T20 crown. Clinical performances from all bowlers set the benchmark with the batters chipping in, lead by top performer Jarrod Officer stealing the show with the bat while taking maybe the greatest catch in club history. Second grade claimed their first win for the season, a tough fought battle against Yandina, thanks to a superb innings of 90 from Josh Peters and a five-wicket haul from young gun Riley Woolmer. Thirds unfortunately spoiled the streak, losing to Yandina, however positive signs shown from a young bowling attack lead by Brendan Henderson and Reilly Carroll who were miserly, and both took two wickets. Sixth grade also struggled losing to a strong Caloundra team and will be looking to rebound with vengeance for the next game. The Women’s team continued their hot start to the year taking down Caloundra in their own backyard, Talei Owen once again the standout with bat and ball supplemented by valuable contributions from the entire team. Both Noosa District junior teams won comfortably in their two dayers.
First Grade
One-Dayer
First grade hosted Gympie who won the toss and elected to bat. Scott Aufderheide and Zac Murray started well in the first 10 overs, despite being wicketless in pretty batter friendly conditions. Birthday boy Ben Giddy came on first change and bowled very well picking up the first wicket at 46 with Michael Eckard hardly being scored off at the other end. First ball after drinks Ben struck again picking up the key wicket of Josh Brady to a juggling catch from Zac in the outfield leaving Gympie 2-60. Ben took his 3rd and Zac struck quickly after before a good partnership saw them get to 4-128. Michael and Scott then proceeded to run through their middle order taking 4 for 8 and restricting the score to 187. After losing an early wicket Mick joined Samadhi Baker in the middle with both looking commanding in a 50 run partnership before Mick fell for 26. Samadhi marched on as Jarrod Officer came to the crease with the pair putting on 125 in 17 overs to see the game over effectively over. Samadhi caught out with a couple of runs left to get for classy 64 with Jarrod finishing not out on 76, the runs chased in the 32nd over for another bonus point win.
T20s
Nambour/Tewantin Semi Final
On the back of an epic 57 (44) from Jarrod Officer, 36* (31) from Andrew Kratzmann, 3-14 (3) from the skipper Mick Eckard and 2-23 (4) including the massive wicket of Nambour’s gun bat for Dom Taylor Noosa overcame an early onslaught to cruise into the Grand Final. Also impressive from Tom Stewart to recover from going for 20 off the first over to take 1-23 off his three overs. Tewantin swept into the final full of confidence but with some things to work on.
Maroochydore/Tewantin Grand Final
Batting first, Samadhi Baker and Sam Dennien got off to a flyer, 17 coming from the first over and 90 off the first ten overs. Runs flowed as aggressive running and smart hitting built a solid platform. Maroochydore were flat but not beaten when they struck quickly to remove both set batters, Sam for 44 (39), then Samadhi for 39 (32). The ball had softened, making scoring harder coupled with another quick wicket and Tewantin now 3-106 was in danger of losing the momentum from the opening stand. The skipper Michael Eckard and Andy Batten then stood up, running hard and latching onto a few monster hits (one landing on the nets) to push the score and the momentum in our favour. Ending on 154, it felt slightly above par but with a strong opposition batting line up and a good batting wicket, the fight was going to be on. Maroochydore got off to a fast start until a brilliant run out from Dom Taylor caught their most destructive batter short off his ground. The momentum continued to swing in Maroochy’s favour until Jarrod (The Mayor) Officer took maybe the greatest catch in club history, plucking a full stretch, running, jumping, left-handed blinder and proceeding to nonchalantly kick the ball back to the umpire. Unbelievable. Although, the bowling stayed tight Maroochydore never felt out of it, hitting timely boundaries, and running hard. However, Tewantin kept taking regular wickets seemingly on demand, whenever it got a bit dicey. Wicket. Good partnership. Run out. Catch. Game over, Tewantin win 154 to 142. The difference between the teams, Tewantin’s fielders took every chance and the bowlers stayed disciplined. Player of the Final was Michael Eckard well deserved with 37 (29) with the bat and 1 for 28 with ball. Great win and brilliant start to the year!
Second Grade
Second grade won the toss and batted against Yandina, easing smoothly into their innings with Josh Peters and Joe Murray (28) putting Yandina to the sword 1-95. Josh Peters (90) playing brilliant reverse sweeps to set a platform for a large total. Yandina then slowed the pace and dried the run rate until Corey Flood finished with a bang smacking two sixes to get the total to a respectable 191. After a loose start with the ball allowed Yandina to reach 0-65 off 10, Josh Peters and Riley Woolmer stemmed the bleeding. Riley (5-28 off 8) bowling beautifully continued on with Joe (2-12 off 8) and backed up with clinical fielding they restricted runs and took wickets. The disciplined bowling kept Yandina to 171 to take the win.
Third Grade
Thirds started well bowling first at home against Yandina, with Tom Longhurst taking two early wickets. Brandon Henderson (2-21 off 7) and Reilly Carroll (2-10 off 5) then bowled well each chipping in with two wickets of their own. Yandina turned the tide batting well while taking advantage of some wayward bowling to post 8-167. Losing an early wicket David Baker (32) and Jason Toohey (26) put on a solid 62 run partnership. Unfortunately, Tewantin then lost wickets in clumps unable to gain momentum being bowled out for 123. Plenty of positives to take away with the young players finding their feet. Discipline for the bowlers and positive running for the batters the takeaways.
Sixth Grade
An undermanned Sixth grade fought hard but ended up being soundly beaten. The bowlers struck with back-to-back wickets twice to restrict Caloundra to a chasable score 185 after 40 but never really got going with the bat losing wickets rapidly to crash to 115 after only 19 overs. With plenty of overs still in the shed and the required run rate comfortable some sensible batting would not have gone astray. Next week sixth grade will be looking to rebound strongly for a game at home.
Women’s Team
The Women travelled to Caloundra and continued their winning ways. Talei Owen a standout with bat (29) and ball (2-7 off 4) and the rest of the team chipping in. This team doesn’t mind giving their coach a heart attack though with another game going to the last ball Noosa winning 96 to 92.
Noosa District U15 aka The Shire Boys
The Shire Boys finished their two-day game off early in Glasshouse with a win to get the season rolling. Plenty to like and plenty to be learnt, with both bat and ball. Will Scott (60) and Cooper Martin (47) standing up with the bat and everyone chipping in with the ball.
Noosa District U17 aka ND
The second day of the two-day match against Coolum under lights arrived with Noosa District having posted 299 on day one. Expecting the pitch to be a bit flatter and better suited to batting this week, ND was up to the task, bowling good lines and lengths which was rewarded taking 3-31. Some determined batting from Coolum followed but Noosa District ’s fielding was relentless and when the 5th wicket fell at 144 ND took full advantage of new batsmen at the crease, bowling Coolum out soon after for 171.
All chances were taken with good catches by Ben Blackwell, Farran Cooke, Aedan Mayo, Bailey Hozier and Eddie Weychardt, with keeper Alek Dillewaard solid with the gloves grabbing plenty of edges. Wickets were shared amongst the bowlers with Rory, Farran, Riley and Max taking two wickets each. With time to spare ND went back out to bat for 6 overs and teed off finishing 1-58. A strong start to the season!
