Randall Woodley
Quote of the Week- “It’s very challenging. The most important thing you need as a cricketer is to be clear on what you’re actually doing.” Test bowler Brett Lee
The rain during the last week caused most of the junior and senior cricket matches planned for Saturday to be cancelled. However, Tewantin-Noosa’s second grade team was able to play at Read Park and the day ended up to be a bowler’s picnic.
The First Graders, drawn to play day one of a two-day game against the Rangers at Glasshouse Mountains in a bid to win their 19th match in a row, were disappointed to be told the pitch and ground were waterlogged. And to make matters more painful for the ladder-leaders, the second-placed Caboolture team was able to take the field against Nambour at the showgrounds.
By Saturday night Caboolture was on its way to an outright win which could provide them with maximum premiership points whereas Thunder would only have one day to ensure that they at least earned first innings points. This is the unfortunate side of a cricket competition that is spread over a large district where rainfall and conditions can vary greatly.
The Second Graders were able to start their match against Glasshouse at Read Park after some great work by the TNT ground staff, players and supporters. The pitch was soft because of all the rain so winning the toss and electing to bowl first was a great way to start the day for the home team.
Taking the new ball, young gun Harrison Lea bowled exceptionally well, producing swing and movement from the deck and skittling the Ranger’s top four batsmen. He finished the day with 4 for 11 off 12 overs. He was paired with Talon Reichert, who was unlucky not to get a wicket early.
James Denslow inspired the next collapse with Leon Beatty taking his usual one-handed catch in slips. Denslow ended up taking 4 for 21. Jason Toohey and Talon cleaned up the rest, landing a wicket each to close the Glasshouse innings, all out for 74. Of the 10 Glasshouse wickets to fall, seven were either bowled or LBW, showing that all the Thunder bowlers were constantly attacking the stumps.
When Thunder batted, the pitch continued to prove difficult to bat on and wickets were lost early and the team found itself 3 down for 32.
Thankfully, Ben Claypole showing grit, stayed at the crease, watching every ball and scored a valuable 47 with Talon Reichert playing the patient game and keeping his wicket right up until the last over. Oliver Wilson on debut came out at a difficult and darkening period to bat until stumps. Thunder who finished the day on 7 for 85, took the first innings points and provided the momentum to go for the outright next week.
Club statistics
With the season half over it is worthwhile looking at the competition and club statistics.
Ladders-
First Grade
Tewantin-Noosa 94 points
Caboolture 82
Maroochydore 66
Glasshouse 41
Other grades
Seconds are 5th
Fourths are 7th
Sixths are 5th
First Grade competition batting:
3rd Lewis Waugh – 662 runs at 7
8th Andrew Kratzmann 475 runs at 47
9th Chris Wright – 460 runs at 27
11th Jarrod Officer – 392 runs at 30
First Grade bowling:
2nd Tom Stewart 31 wickets at 11
3rd Dom Taylor 31 wickets at 14
4th Ben Laughlin 30 wickets at 7
5th Jake Dennien 29 wickets at 12
Next Saturday will be a crucial day for all teams endeavouring to win their matches and improve their positions on the premiership ladders.
