Day 1 – First Grade Grand Final
The first day of the First Grade Grand Final saw Maroochydore face off against Tewantin side in a battle of patience and discipline. Winning the toss, Michael Eckard opted to bowl on a pitch that showed some unpredictability, with a few random soft spots and an overall underprepared feel. The conditions played a part early with a couple of deliveries flying past unpredictably but the pitch settled soon after.
Scott Aufderheide and Tom Stewart bowled outstandingly to see 7 runs off the first 10 overs before Ben Giddy came into the attack and immediately got the breakthrough. Scott took a second soon after and from there it was a long day of toil. Maroochydore effectively refused to play a shot to Scott and Tom who combined for 38 runs off 33 overs, with Scott maintaining a remarkable economy rate of under a run per over. In a true battle of discipline, the bowlers kept creating chances and were unlucky not to have any stick.
Despite a quick-fire 50 runs off a 5/6-over period, the spinners once again applied the pressure taking wickets and restricting Maroochydore’s scoring. Tom Stewart took the second new ball and grabbed a breakthrough right before stumps. Maroochydore 8 for 189 from 81 overs at the close of play. A strong position provided Tewantin take the final two wickets cheaply.
Day 2 – First Grade Grand Final
Tewantin Ones resumed on day two, with Tom Stewart cleaning up the final two wickets early in the morning. Maroochydore were all out for 194, leaving a challenging, yet achievable, chase. However, the wicket was slowed dramatically, and the uneven conditions made batting a challenge.
The top order fought valiantly, with more than 200 balls faced between the top three batters. But as Maroochydore’s strike bowlers were about to be rotated, wickets fell in quick succession. Some fight was shown by the lower order but the team was eventually all out for 77. Despite the disappointing display with the bat, credit must go to the Maroochydore bowlers who played to their home conditions and were the more disciplined team.
True to the Tewantin spirit, the team didn’t give up (unlike some other teams) and bowled well to have Maroochydore 2/30 off 21 overs before bad light halted play. With 90 overs left, (in the three day Two day final) next week promises an exciting final push as the Tewantin boys look to bowl out Maroochydore for a target of 220-230 and chase it in what would be a game for the ages. After a hard day of cricket, a special mention to must go to the bowlers, especially Scott Aufderheide (who bowled 18 maidens in 27 overs), busting their chops to give us a shot.
Day 1 – Second Grade Grand Final
In the Second Grade Grand Final, the tables were turned when Seconds lost the toss and were sent in to bat on what could only be described as a batting paradise. Max Cooper and Blake Steel provided a solid opening partnership, adding 30 runs to the total, but the middle order was soon tested by some quality bowling. At 6/65, the game looked in the balance.
Enter Riley Woolmer and Mathew Nenadic. Together, they produced a phenomenal partnership, adding 96 runs in 35 overs to resurrect the innings. Disciplined batting and excellent decision-making saw the score back on track. Unfortunately, both fell with the score at 8/161, but the tail didn’t give up. Oliver Wilson (35*), alongside Reilly Carroll and Tyron De Kauwe, ensured the score closed at the end of days play, 9/210 after 83 overs. An incredible recovery from a tough position.
Day 2 – Second Grade Grand Final
The next day, Oliver Wilson and Tyron De Kauwe continued the innings, with only 7 overs to bat before the forced declaration at 90 overs. Glasshouse quickly spread the field, but the two batters took the opportunity to rotate the strike, pushing the score along before Ollie Wilson fell for an important 56, leaving Tyron unbeaten on 16*, score all out for 244. A remarkable fightback all things considered.
With the ball in hand, the team came out with energy and some effective bowling plans. Reilly Carroll made an early breakthrough, dismissing key batter, Milini cheaply, Glasshouse 1/20. The bowlers stuck to their plans with Reilly picking up another, Jarred Davis claiming two and Ollie Wilson chiming in as well. At 5/100, Glasshouse seemed to be playing for a draw, with no shots offered by their batters.
The Noosa bowlers continued to apply pressure, and in the second last over before stumps, Reilly Carroll cleaned up another set batter. With Glasshouse at 6/148, needing 97 more runs to surpass the total, while Tewantin are just four wickets away from victory. If the weather holds up next week, an epic conclusion to this grand final is on the cards.
