Last Saturday turned out to be one of the most successful match days ever for the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Cricket Club with all six senior teams (five men’s and one women’s) scoring wins over their opposing teams.
And the six junior teams all performed well at their Saturday morning matches although wins were hard to achieve.
After playing in the mornings, many of the older juniors then travel around the coast and play in some of the senior grades, gaining experience from this opportunity and challenging themselves.
First grade
Playing at Coolum the team was asked to bat first on a very questionable wicket. This season’s new look opening partnership of Ben Laughlin and Lewis Waugh put on 45 before Waugh was surprisingly given out on a close run-out call. Skipper Jacob Dennien came to the crease and had a great partnership with Laughlin before the second wicket fell at 150. Laughlin finished his innings on 89 off 78 balls which included 8 sixes and 3 fours.
Dennien went shortly after for 53 continuing his great form this season and ensuring his knock really set the team up for some fun in the remaining overs. Jarrod Officer was always in control and played some great shots in his innings of 69 (off 61). Dom Taylor 25 off 14 chipped in as well and the team finished their 50 overs on 5-280.
When Coolum came out to bat, they lost a wicket to a run-out in the first over and never really recovered. All the Thunder bowlers kept things tight, hitting good areas.
Special mentions to teenager, Talon Reichert (1 for 12 off 4) who troubled the Coolum batters.
Then the team’s slowies, Dom Taylor and Dennien, picked up three wickets each to have Coolum out for 129 securing a double bonus point win. Best bowling figures- Tom Stewart 2-17, Dom Taylor 3-51 and Jake Dennien 3-39.
Next weekend the boys play Caloundra at home on Saturday starting at 10am and on Sunday morning play Caboolture at 9.30am at Dale Officer Oval in the first T20 semi-final.
Second grade
The team was at home against Coolum in a day/night match and bowled first. Harrison Lea and Joel Sauervein opened up with Lea snagging a wicket with them on 23. Then Will Cooke picked up a wicket as did Josh Peters to have them 3-76 at drinks.
First ball back Nigel Webster bowled a screamer and debutant Lovely Preet helped dry up the scoring. The team held some good catches and Coolum ended on 9 for 166. Josh Peters took three wickets, Jason Toohey and Lea took two each and Sauervein and Will Cooke, one each.
Good starts by Peters and Preet got the team to 24 before losing a wicket. Then another quick wicket before Daniel Cooke came to the crease. He made a well-constructed and patient 42 while at the other end, Cooper Lea hit an entertaining 50 (one huge six).
After losing a couple of wickets the team was behind the run rate and things were looking grim when 12 runs were needed off the last over… but who stood up? Tristan Griffin playing his first match this season decided he knew how to finish a game by hitting four, four, two… scores tied…then a four to win it. Welcome back Tristan.
Well done to the boys first win of the season. Next week they travel to Caloundra.
Third grade
The team travelled to Caboolture and bowled first. Good bowling and a runout saw Caboolture 3-32 after 10. They managed to crawl to 3-68 after 20 overs before coming out swinging to reach 7 for 180 off their 40 overs. Best Thunder bowler was Ben Shaw with 3-43 off 17 overs.
Throughout the Thunder’s innings the boys stuck to their plan and at 10 overs were 56 and then at 20, 1-115. In the last 10 overs the batters put on 67 to take the match comfortably. Top scorer were – Jarred Davis 86 no, Brendon Wright 25 and Sam O’Neill 25 no.
Fifth grade
Playing at home, Thunder sent Maroochydore into bat first. Great bowling and exceptional fielding all round had Maroochydore struggling to get going during their innings. With tight bowling, superb catching and fielding pressure, Maroochydore were bowled out in the 36th over for 116. Standout bowling was from senior debutant, Rory Ramsden 3-14, supported brilliantly at the other end by veteran Kent Officer 3-13 and Luke Anstey 2-14.
Thunder’s batting innings did not start well, being on 3-9 after 7 overs. Returning player Blake O’Donnell (12), and Kent Officer (35) then put the team back at the required run rate. Thunder reached the target in the 37th over with Anthony Blackwell on 35 no. A great win for the team.
Sixth grade
The team had a five-wicket win against Palmwoods Black at home. They dismissed the opposition for 91 with Shane Gesell returning the top-class figures of 6 for 22 off his six overs. He was well supported by Justin Latimer 2-25. The boys then set about winning the match and reached the required target in the 25th over. Top scorers were- Brendan Chaplin 24, Ron Lewis 23no, Shane Gesell 15 no and Tony Watson14. Things are looking good for the Sixers!
Women’s grade
Sunday morning the team travelled to Caboolture and decided to bowl first on the damp ground. This saw some greatly improved bowling added to the quality fielding shown last week. The Caboolture Snakes finished on 3 for 90 after their 20 overs.
Kirsty and Shannae opened the batting for the Thunder girls and Shannae made a quick fire 12 with a couple of nice fours. That brought in Petrina who was looking to replicate her great effort from last week, and she did, having to retire on 33 again. The team went on to win the match in the 38th over. Two wins from two is a great start to the season.
Junior grades
All the teams performed well but only finished with one win on the day and a couple of very close losses. Some of the better individual performances were Under17s- Ethan Slaney 32 and Ollie Wilson taking 2-15. In the Under 15s- B. Hozier took five wickets for 29. Davis (U 13s) scored 55 no and in the Under 11s Perry Taske made 28 and Sam Wells took three wickets.
