Around the Grounds
Fast scoring was the theme across the club, with batters well placed for a call up to upcoming Big Bash League. Stand out innings from Farran Cooke (100), Michael Eckard (67 off 41), Sam Dennien (66 off 39), Josh Peters (79*), Blake Steel (53 off 39) and Matt Nenadic (70 off 63) showcase the depth of talent available across the grades this season. Although, the batting stole the headlines, the consistency and discipline from the bowlers has been the key to winning games, with most opposition teams struggling to set meaningful scores.
First Grade
Travelling to Coolum, down six players due to injury and unavailability the team was perhaps a little light on bowling. However, with Riley Woolmer fighting his way back, after five wickets in second grade last week and the return of Jake Dennien, a long-time club faithful and past first grade captain (not to mention great singer) the squad still felt very strong. Coolum decided to bat on a decent looking pitch and an outfield described best as “a bit rough” with short boundaries. Ben Giddy broke through in the first over with he and Riley Woolmer bowling beautifully upfront, seeing Coolum 3 for 47 after the first dozen overs. From there the spin of Michael, Ben Woolmer and Jake really strangled Coolum.
A solid team effort with the bowling and fielding with everyone building pressure including Andy batten, who took a one hand screamer in the infield. Coolum bundled out in the 38th over for 131. The score was a long way below par with a rapid outfield and small boundaries, but the loss of an early wicket and the knowledge that cricket is a funny game….
Unfortunately, for Coolum, that was about as funny as it got with Mick and Sam Dennien proceeding to destroy the Coolum bowling. 134 runs were smashed off the next 12.2 overs with 13 x 4’s and 8 x 6’s. Ignoring the white flag, Sam ended 66* from 39 and Mick 67* from 41. Incredible to watch!
Second Grade
Yet another day-nighter for Second Grade this week, grumbles coming from all about another pink ball game. Quotes from various unnamed sources, ‘I can’t see it at night’, ‘It’s too dark’ and ‘Why don’t we play with white cricket balls’. No luck with the coin toss yet again, meant bowling first with the bright side being the opportunity to get stuck in with fresh bowlers. Finn Mayo took a wicket in the first over and then Coolum swung the momentum their way, hitting loose balls and taking risks to play across the line on a wicket showing variable bounce. At drinks the game was in the balance, Tewantin bowlers hitting good areas, but Coolum kept ticking along, hitting several catches just out of reach. Just after the midpoint of the Coolum innings momentum started to shift in Tewantin’s favour with Jarred Davis, Oli Wilson, Reilly Carroll and Corey Flood all bowling well. Reading the conditions, Reilly attacked the stumps and Coolum had no answer playing across the line giving him the miserly figures of 3-13 off 5.4 and restricting Coolum to 8-163 off the full 40overs. Blake Steel and Josh Peters got off to a great start, finding a boundary ball or two each over. Blake (53) was hitting the ball hard and brought up 50 quickly. After Blake was dismissed, Joe Murray (27*) came in and with Josh (76*) chased the total in the 33rd over one down. Another really strong win and a testament of the fight and positivity shown with bat and ball (particularly with the bat, because those pink balls are a little hard to see).
Third Grade
In need of a win, Third Grade travelled to Glasshouse and got off to a good start winning the toss and batting. Opening up, Matt Nenadic and Tom Longhurst got off to a solid start, being 40 after seven overs before Tom went out. Some smart batting from Matt continued, as he worked the ball for singles and patiently waited for the bad ball to punish. Cracking cover drives and lofted straight shots were the highlights as he passed 50, with support from the other end. Unfortunately, after reaching 2-114 a collapse followed, losing 8 for 36 to be all out for 150 in the 37th over. Quality innings from Matt scoring an effortless 70 off 63 balls but the total feeling a little under par considering the start. Although the team bowled well from the start taking an early wicket, Glasshouse put together a crucial partnership and started to take the game away. Aidan Mayo stayed brave, using his flight deceive their main batter who fell to a great catch into the sun from Blake O’Donnell. The fight back continued with the bowlers taking regular wickets and drying the scoring. Kent Officer, proving age to be no barrier, bowled 8 overs straight and took 2-21 supported by Matt, having a day out taking 2 for 14 of his own. The game went down to the wire with Glasshouse only passing the score on the second last ball with a slice of fortune. A game to look back on and wonder about the result had the overs been batted. A great fight back with plenty of positives to take away but discipline with the batting will be the key focus for future weeks.
Sixth Grade
Sixth Grade batted first at home verses Yandina, Morgan Avery (23) getting off to a decent start. Wickets then fell with regularity with Jayke Carlile and Max Joyce the only other batters to really contribute. Ending of 96 in the 24th was disappointing noting the number of overs left. Bowling and fielding were tight, headlined by a very tidy Justin Latimer taking 1-5 off 8. However, Yandina persevered and got the runs needed 2 down in the 35th over. A good effort to prolong the game but plenty of work with the bet needed.
U15’s Shire Boys
The Shire Boys at home in Cooroy verses Nambour, started strongly with local lads Wilba and Marto putting on an unbeaten 100 run opening partnership. After batting out the 55 overs the score was a very defendable 4-226. Big thanks to the parents, helpers and particularly Cooroy Cougars for preparing their ground and pitch for the first home game of the season. Great start for the Shire Boys, who will be looking forward to the new ball next week.
