The same day that Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne scored his second century of the Test match in Perth, Tewantin-Noosa Thunder’s veteran player Kent Officer scored 205 not out and sixth grader, Wayne (Saus) Moore notched up a ton.
As well as those great batting efforts, Thunder’s First Grade bowler, Ben Laughlin took 6 for 24 against Gympie to finish the match with 11 wickets.
FIRST GRADE: Lewis Waugh and Ben Laughlin dominated the team’s outright win against Gympie Gold which was completed last Saturday. After Day 1 Gympie was two wickets down for 21 in their second innings, still eight runs behind Thunder’s score.
After resuming the match, it did not take long for Tom Stewart to strike, removing one of the Gympie danger-men. The bowling was ridiculously tight keeping them to 5-55 off 43 overs at lunch.
They scraped along to 92 before a five-minute light rain delay.
All it did was fire up Ben Laughlin and he took two wickets in the first two balls after the break which saw Gympie lose 3 for 0. Ultimately they were all out 103.
Laughlin picked up six wickets to go with his first innings bag of five to give him 11-37 for the match. Their batsmen found him almost unplayable in the conditions with a bit of inconsistent bounce in the pitch.
That left Thunder 44 overs to chase 83. After losing an early wicket, Ben Claypole and Lewis Waugh put on 50 to see the game in control. Thunder passed the score two down with 22 overs left.
Waugh was unbeaten on 40 to go with 56 not out in the first innings.
Next week the team is at home against Coolum Sharks.
SECOND GRADE: Yandina resumed at 1-17 chasing 170 and started aggressively with their shots, punishing anything short.
Tyron De Kauwe bowled a great opening spell of 10 straight overs.
Pete Walker got the breakthrough with a brilliant run-out at 62. All the bowlers kept at their tasks and eventually Adam Curry took the much-needed next wicket. T
hey finished their first innings on 210 to take the points. Top wicket takers for Thunder were De Kauwe 3-69, Tiernan Crowley 2-44 and Adam Curry 2-23
THIRD GRADE: The team had a disappointing loss to Yandina. Resuming on day two at 4 for 75, chasing Yandina’s 148, the boys fell short of the target. Yandina batted a second time and when stumps were drawn Thunder had them 6-122.
Nest Saturday the team is at home to Caboolture.,
FIFTH GRADE: A day for the master and the apprentice.
The team returned to Mat Thornhill Oval on a very windy day with Coolum resuming at 8-276. They batted for another hour with wickets to Rory Ramsden (2-33) and Ben Shaw (1-9) to be all out on 301.
After losing an early wicket, Tony Watson settled in with Ben Blackwell until Watson fell with the score at 2-33.
With the game now in the balance it was a question on whether to chase the runs or to try and bat out for the draw.
Then veteran and Queensland Over 60 player, Kent Officer strolled to the crease. From that point on it was a masterclass from Kent, very well supported by 13-year-old Ben Blackwell with the pair putting on a 233-run partnership before Ben was dismissed on 61 to have the team at 3-266 and closing quickly on the target.
Ben achieved his first 50 in the senior grade and played an extremely mature innings for one so young.
A superb knock from Ben Shaw 38* including three sixes of his own, and Kent 205* (off 134 balls) got Thunder well and truly across the line to finish on 3-363 at the close of play.
Kent’s innings was pure class with 16 fours and 15 sixes, including an over of six sixes.
The record books are being searched to find the last time a Thunder batsmen (if ever) hit six sixes in one over. At this stage the club is not sure where Kent’s knock sits in his or the club’s history books but all the other players and spectators agreed it was fantastic innings to watch.
Congratulations Kent. That win should see the team cement their position in the top four.
SIXTH GRADE: On day 2 of the match, Thunder was 0-61 chasing USC’s first innings score of 173.
Things started well with young Bailey Hozier continuing on from the previous week blasting a few boundaries in the first few overs. Bailey and Craig Moore had the score ticking over nicely till Bailey (34) was out.
He was quickly followed by Moore and then two more quick wickets had USC sensing a victory.
Then Wayne Moore and Naveen Chand came together in the middle and that’s where USC’s joy ended. Moore and Chand put on a great display taking the score past USC’s before Nav went for 73 and Moore retired soon after for 114. Thunder finished the day on 9-320 with the win keeping them in the top four on the ladder.
WOMENS GRADE: Another win to the women’s team against Glasshouse Green last Sunday. After losing the toss the Thunder girls batted first.
Kirsty (19) and Melinda opened the batting and after a bit of a slow start managed to put on some runs. Melinda (28) then had the chance to bat with her daughter Lily who took the family bragging rights with a quick fire 34 retired.
The team finished on 3 for 132 with Petrina on 15.
The Thunder bowlers kept the pressure on the Glasshouse girls and kept them to 8 for 87 off the 20 overs. One of the highlights was the bowling of young gun second gamer Bonnie who took a respectful 2-20. Others to snag wickets were Mel, Petrina and Kirsty. Great job Thunder women!
JUNIOR GRADES
UNDER 13s A: The team had a convincing win over Glasshouse Gold last Saturday. They scored 8 for 134 and then bowled the opposition out for 59. Top scorers for Thunder were Will Stewart (40) and Cooper Maloney (25*). Best bowler for Thunder was Eddie Lewis with 2 for 2.
UNDER 15As Despite a great team effort the 15s went down to Cooroy-Eumundi. The opposition scored 7 for 213 whilst Thunder were all out for 169. Top scorers for Thunder were Rory Ramsden 68 not out and Matt Riddle 25.
