By Randall Woodley
Saturday’s round of matches resulted in two wins for the Thunder teams and two losses. The highlight of these matches was the First Graders defeating their long-time adversaries the Caboolture Snakes on their Grant Road oval which has become something of a fortress over the past few seasons.
FIRSTS: The team travelled down to Caboolture where they had not had a win since the 2007-08 season. This was the last of the One-Day matches in the season’s fixtures and after winning the toss, TNT sent the Caboolture Snakes into bat on a really hard dry wicket. The Snakes were without their captain, the ex-Bulls and the competition’s top run scorer and the Tewantin-Noosa boys were keen to make the most of the slightly weakened opposition.
Scott Aufderheide and Tom Freshwater opened strongly and with off-spinner Dom Taylor coming on early and a direct hit run-out from Harrison Lea,
Caboolture were struggling at 4 for 18 after 10 overs. Their batsmen dug in but TNT continued bowling tightly and fielding well giving only 2 boundaries away in the first 30 overs. Then two more direct hit run-outs, another to Harrison and one to Scott Aufderheide underlined the team’s fielding performance.
Captain Jake Dennien took 2 wickets through the middle and Harrison Lea coming on to bowl grabbed 2 wickets in 2 balls in the 48th over to see Caboolture all out 134. Best bowling figures for the visitors: Harrison Lea 2-2, Scott Aufderheide 2-17 off 10 overs and Jake Dennien 2-35 off his 10.
When Alex Bennett and Chris Wright came out to bat it looked like they were playing on a different wicket. Seven boundaries in the first 7 overs had TNT at 46 before Wrights went for a run-a-ball 20. Then another two wickets fell to slow the scoring down to 3-64, before back to back partnerships of 30 saw the Thunder team over the line in the 38th over with 5 wickets lost. Top run scorers were Alex Bennett (41), continuing his good form and Andrew Kratzmann who was not out on 31. This was a good finish for the team in the One-Dayers but the boys are now looking forward to the two-day games commencing next Saturday against the Maroochydore Swans at Buderim.
The First Grade Ladder is very close with Caboolture on 53 points, Maroochydore on 52 and Thunder on 49. A win next match could see the TNT boys into second place or even at number one.
THIRDS: Last Saturday the team played against Glasshouse at home in a day-night match using a pink ball. Glasshouse batted first but a couple of run-outs and a wicket to opener Brad Thompson had them on the back foot. They regained their composure and despite losing wickets regularly managed to put a competitive score of 9 for 169 on the board after the forty overs. Best bowlers for TNT were Thompson 3-33 off his 8 overs and Ben Giddy 3-26 off 8.
Batting second with day turning to night is always difficult and the Thunder boys struggled to put worthwhile partnerships together. At the end of the match TNT were 10 runs short which was a disappointing result. Top scorers for the home team were Blake Steel 28 and an aggressive 38 no from Robbie Payton. Next Saturday the team is again at home playing Maleny.
FIFTHS; Thunder, playing at home took on the top of the table Maroochydore Swans in what was billing to be a season defining game for the team. Losing the toss, TNT were sent into the field with the opening bowlers Mike “Rowdy” Thomson and Luke Anstey both bowling a superb line and length that had the usually strong Swans opening bats, struggling from the outset. With good support from the first and second bowling changes, Maroochydore clawed their way to a total of 6 for 164 off their 40 overs. Best Bowling for TNT: Thomson 1-17 off 8 overs, Anstey 1-22 off 8 and Steve Hill 2-20 off his 8.
TNT batting second, started slowly in the chase losing both openers cheaply with Brendan Wright being caught by a freakish catch at deep point. The always reliable Tony Watson provided some good glue to the line-up enabling the axe swinging veteran Kent Officer, to tame the Swans bowlers with an unbeaten 65. Naveen Chand chimed in with a well-played quick fire 20 that got TNT into the run rate lead when bad light stopped play with 10 overs to go, and six wickets in hand, giving TNT a well-deserved win.
Next week the team is at home again playing Cooroy.
Training is held at Read Park each Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5.30pm. Although the club has four senior teams competing in the matches each weekend any new players who wish to attend training would be welcome.
