By Randall Woodley
Last weekend the four senior teams from the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Club played in the first round of the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association’s fixtures with mixed results. Three of the teams had narrow loses but the Sixth graders had a comprehensive win.
On the previous Thursday night, the First Grade team defeated the Coolum Sharks under lights in the final match of the T20 series. Batting first TNT scored 7 for 153 with Jarrod Officer the standout batsman plundering 74 off 39 balls and Sam Baker contributing 36. In reply the young Coolum side could not handle the experienced Thunder bowlers and were all out for 97 with Dom Taylor taking 4 for 12. The TNT boys have now won six out of their seven T20 matches and will play in the finals on Sunday 18 October.
SATURDAY’S MATCHES
FIRST GRADE:- The team hosted last year’s premiers Maroochydore in the clubs first ever home Day / Night one day game at Read Park. Batting first TNT got off to a poor start against some disciplined bowling and from 0-29 fell to be 7-82 before a partnership from teenager Cody Pyne (25) and Brad Thompson (23) regained some momentum and helped the score struggle to 145. Although the target was 60-70 runs below par the locals were still confident that they could contain the Swan’s bats.
When Tom Freshwater took 2 wickets in the first over TNT were well and truly in the game. Then 3 more wickets to Freshwater by the 9th over of the innings (to bring up his 5) had Maroochydore 5-39 off 9. From there the Thunder really tightened the screws with Maroochydore only managing 1-60 off the next 30 overs with all of the bowlers doing their job. Brad Thompson got the important breakthrough and Jarrod Officer conceded just 10 runs from his 10 overs. However, Maroochydore reached the target with 10 balls to spare. A disappointing result but some good performances all around. Next week the team travel to Gympie and with Scott Aufderheide and Alex Bennett returning the Thunder are confident of a win.
THIRD GRADE:- After travelling up the range the TNT boys lost the toss and bowled first. Harrison Lea opened and with pace and good lines finished his spell with 1-19. Robbie Payton opened from the other end and swung the ball troubling all their batsman. He ended with 1-28 off 8.
Maleny lost wickets at regular intervals to be at one stage 5 for 61 but continued on to be 164 after their 40 0vers. Others to take wickets were Ben Giddy 2-14, Nick Bennett 1-43 and captain Jason Toohey 3-39. Wicketkeeper Cooper Lea took 3 catches but the TNT’s overall fielding and catching was well below par.
TNT lost an early wicket but Cooper Lea batted aggressively to register 37. Thunder’s innings then deteriorated with poor shot selection and give away wickets. However, a record 9th wicket stand of 65 from Nick Bennett (34 no) and Mike Thomson (24) gave the team some hope but unfortunately the innings closed just 2 runs short of the target.
FIFTHS:- The team went down in a thriller to Cooroy. Batting first TNT scored 219 on a fast Cooroy pitch. Steven Hill and Brendan Wright got the team off to a good start having us at 50+ off not many overs before the first wicket fell. Pick of the batting was Tony Watson who scored 60 supported by Jack Saunders and Kent Officer.
Being a bowler down the order was quickly reshuffled with Jack Saunders taking the opening wicket. Cooroy batted strongly and after 15 overs were 115+ and in cruise control. But the TNT spirit remained alive and every player put in a courageous performance. Tony Watson chimed in with a wicket, Ben Anderson and Ian Brundell took a couple of good wickets each with their tenacious leg spin – swinging the game back for TNT.
Cooroy were on the ropes at 9 for 188, but pulled the game due to some sporadic rain and bad light, ending the hopes of TNT’s thrilling comeback.
SIXTHS:- Playing at home against Wamuran-Stanley Rivers the TNT team bowled first and soon had the visitors in trouble. They never regained the ascendency and were all out for 116. The first wicket was taken by Gilbert Fancourt playing his first senior match. Others to take wickets were Finn Mayo 2-20, captain Jason Talbot 2-17, and Graham Chaplin, Carl Burbery and Shane Gesell all took a wicket each. Craig Moore was exceptional behind the stumps taking 4 catches and effected a stumping.
TNT reached the target in the 18th over, losing only two wickets. Top scorers were man-of-the-match Craig Moore 45 not out, Shane Gesell 33 and Brian Lee 20. Next week the boys are at Coolum playing the Sharks.
