Randall Woodley
Last Saturday all the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder’s senior teams were drawn to play on day one of their two-day fixtures.
Unfortunately, Sixth Grade had their match abandoned for the day due to the wet outfield at Nambour while Third Grade are in a sound position after day one. However, First Grade, Seconds and Fifths will all be battling hard next weekend to secure wins.
Junior cricket
The Tewantin-Noosa Cricket Club have for some years supported and encouraged their junior Under 12 players to trial for the Sunshine Coast Representative team to play in the annual state-wide Ian Healy Cup carnival. This year, three of the club’s Under 12 players were selected in the Sunshine Coast Scorchers team and played in the carnival in Brisbane over the school holidays. The three were Henry Blackwell. Lewis Ramsden and Nate Watson.
Although the Sunny Coast only had one win during the five-day (50 overs per team per day) carnival, each of the boys contributed well. Henry achieved a personal best score of 40 not out, Lewis managed a four-wicket haul on day three, contributing 11 wickets in total during the week, and some great batting by Nate who, despite carrying a slight leg injury, scored 23 runs in the final match and also took three cracking catches over the week.
In a flashback- the other photograph is of the 2009 Sunshine Coast Under 12 Ian Healy Cup team and which also featured three players from the Tewantin-Noosa Club. The three Thunder players were Matt Smalley (now in the Australian Navy), Lachie Gunner who went on to play first grade for Tewantin-Noosa at 16 and now is playing grade cricket in Canberra and Zac Allen who took up a cricket scholarship with Brisbane Grammar and is now playing grade cricket in Brisbane.
One of the other members of this team, Nathan McSweeney now plays in the Sheffield Shield competition for South Australia and for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL. Another player in this team was current Lions AFL star player Eric Hipwood. As a matter of interest, the boys brought home the Ian Healy Cup to the Sunny Coast in that year.
Senior cricket
FIRST GRADE: In their home match against the Caboolture Snakes, Thunder lost the toss and was asked to bowl first. The very strong Caboolture batting lineup started well with a very quick outfield to assist in the run scoring. The Thunder bowlers kept things tight and at drinks they were 3-68 and later they went to lunch at 3-110.
Two wickets in the next hour saw them 5-177 and the day in the balance. From there it was one-way traffic. Knowing they needed 300+ in the conditions, they knuckled down until they were 270 and then went big in the last 15 overs to post 418 all out in the last over. The Thunder boys really only dropped one chance and kept their standards up most of the day despite a couple of injuries to bowlers. Dom Taylor took three wickets and young-guns, Tom Stewart and Talon Reichert snagged two each.
It was noted by the Thunder team that the Snakes did not declare at 350 and have a bowl but possibly they were nervous that Thunder could have been 0-50 at stumps. It will be a huge challenge next Saturday for the Thunder players to bat the whole day which will be very achievable if they get the same conditions.
SECOND GRADE: The team travelled to Palmwoods and batted first. The scoreboard did not read very well for the Thunder, being dismissed for a disappointing 118 runs. The standout player was Jarred Davis with almost half the team’s runs (51). Batting later in the day Palmwoods was 1 -72 at stumps. The first innings points are still available, but it will take a huge effort, and some luck next Saturday if Thunder is to restrict the opposition to less than their score of 118.
THIRD GRADE: The team was at home against one of the top sides, Palmwoods. Winning the toss, Thunder decided to send in the opposition on a green and hard looking wicket and bowl first. It soon proved to be the correct decision when Luke Anstey (4-16) took four Palmwoods’ wickets and Tadgh Crowley another before the drinks break. Tadgh then collected another four to have his best ever figures for an innings. (5-30). Ethan Slaney finished the job with another wicket and Thunder surprised everyone dismissing Palmwoods for 66.
All the bowlers were at their best and were aided by good fielding and wicketkeeper Harper Lee contributing with two amazing low catches.
Thunder knew they had to bat on the same wicket and used their local knowledge to do the job with patience. They passed the target score, losing only three wickets with Nigel Webster guiding the team with a crafty 49. Palmwoods immediately turned their focus to winning outright and Thunder lost more wickets and finished the day at 9-150 with Richard Boyd (23*) and Tadgh Crowley toughing out the last 15 overs and adding some very valuable runs. It was a solid team effort and outright points are there to take next Saturday.
FIFTH GRADE: The team struggled all day against Glasshouse Rangers at their ground. The Thunder was dismissed for one of its lowest score for some years (50) with Farran Cooke top scoring with 19. Then the bowlers had their work cut out for the rest of the afternoon and at stumps the Rangers were 7-251 with Rory Ramsden the best bowler with 3-39.
Significant improvement will be needed next week if Thunder is to avoid an outright loss.
Women’s cricket
The women, playing one short travelled to Glasshouse to take on the only team (Gold) to defeat the Thunder team so far this season. Batting first the women scored 110 for the loss of two wickets with Melinda and Petrina both forced to retire on 30 and Kirsty made 29. Despite tight bowling and much improved fielding, the Gold team was able to pass the target score and win the match. Best Thunder bowler for Thunder was Melinda with 2-12.
