For the first time in a number of seasons the TNT First Grade team will have a new trophy to display in their clubhouse. Last Sunday the team defeated the competition’s leading team, Maroochydore Swans in the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association’s T20 Grand Final at Read Park. In the morning they played Glasshouse Rangers in the semi-final and by defeating them qualified for the Grand Final. In the final at Read Park in front of a big crowd, TNT again batted first and finished their innings with what was considered a below par score of 126. Top scorers were the club’s leading run-getter, Jarrod Officer 46 and captain Jake Dennien 23. With the championship in sight the TNT bowlers knew they would need to bowl tightly, restricting the strong Swan’s lineup to less than 6 runs an over. Opening bowlers, Scott Aufderheide (0-15 off 4) and Tom Freshwater (3-23 off 4) carried out their assignments admirably and strangled the opposition batsmen. Wickets kept falling and their target was almost out of reach by the 15th over. In the end the team, who were considered the favourites for the championship, were bowled out for 107 giving the home team a much-deserved victory. Other wicket takers were Jake Dennien 3-22 and Dom Taylor 2-21. The TNT boys have been the dominant team in the T20 competition winning eight of the nine games they have played.
In the morning semi-final TNT scored 6-145 off their 20 overs with top scorers Jarrod Officer 28, Jake Dennien 26 no and Alex Bennett 23. Bowling second the TNT team kept pressure on all the batsmen and Glasshouse never managed to get ahead of the required run rate., After 20 overs they were 9 for 120. Top wicket taker was Jake Dennien with 5-23 and another outstanding wicket-keeper performance by Cody Pyne with 3 stumpings and a catch. Now the next targets for the TNT team is the Limited Overs Championship and later the premiership.
SATURDAYS MATCHES
THIRDS:- Losing the toss against Caloundra, TNT were asked to bowl first. Harrison Lea 2-30 off 7 overs opened up and bowled a good first spell. Mike Thomson, as reliable as ever opened from the other end and took 1-27 off his 7. Other wicket takers were Robbie Payton 1-20, Jason Toohey 3-33 and Adam Curryu 1-16. Caloundra finished on 138 after 40 overs. Cooper Lea opened up and scored 27 off 28, hitting the ball well but will learn to be a little more patient. Blake Steel then ignited the innings smashing 42 off 44 balls including three 6s. With Adam Curry then belting 53 off 27 balls the team cruised to a win in the 20th over.
FIFTHS:- The team went south to Burpengary to take on the Brumbies. Losing the toss, TNT were sent into bat and with tight bowling from the opposition, runs were hard to come by. Brendan Wright showed patience with the bat for 32, whilst evergreen Luke Anstey again top scored with 35. After 40 over the team had registered a disappointing 6 for 131. In reply the TNT opening bowlers Anstey (3-18) and Naveen Shand (3-24) had the Brumbies in trouble at 4 for 27 after the first spell. However, the fifth wicket was hard to break and with some poor leg side bowling the Brumbies were let of the hook. The TNT team rallied well and took the game to the line almost stealing the game. The Brumbies got home with two overs to spare. With the Fifths still winless after 3 rounds the team is certain a win is just around the corner.
SIXTHS:- The team took on Caloundra at Dale Officer Oval and with new opener, Jake Shenton to partner Shane Gesell the home side batted first. Gesell exploded out of the box belting boundary after boundary to get TNT off to a great start. The pair had put on 119 by drinks and soon after Shenton was out for 23. Euan Baxter came in and after watching Gesell pass his century (132) crafted a stylish 52 no that assisted the team to 267 after 40 overs. The Caloundra batsmen struggled all afternoon and were 100 runs short at stumps. Best bowlers for Thunder were Graham Chaplin 4-37 and Ben Anderson 2-27. Three wins from three matches for the team. Great start for the season.
