Randall Woodley
The Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Cricket Club added more silverware to their trophy cabinet when they defeated the Caboolture Snakes in the final of the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association’s One-Day Final at Read Park last Sunday. Although they have been in previous year’s finals this is the first time, they have won the 50-overs-a-side competition.
However, no one expected the match to finish in the manner it did. Watched by a parochial crowd for most of the day, the local Thunder boys came from nowhere to snatch the match when it seemed the Snakes had one hand on the cup.
Winning the toss, the Thunder batted first and scored cautiously for most of the morning to register 8 for 228, probably 20 or 30 runs less than they wanted. Top scorer was Jarrod Officer with 50 and he would return again later in the day to put his mark on the match. Others to contribute were Dom Taylor 42 no, Lewis Waugh 22, Chris Wright 24 and veteran Andrew Kratzmann 28 playing his last match for some time due to a planned knee operation next week.
Batting after lunch, the strong Caboolture line-up faced the Thunder’s opening bowling trio of Scott Aufderheide, Tom Stewart and Ben Laughlin. Although these three bowled with speed and guile, the Snakes batsmen defied them until change bowler, Jarrod Officer clean bowled one of the openers with the score at 44. Then, the Snake’s two premier batsmen, ex-Queensland Shield player, Glen Batticciotto and Brisbane First Grader, Preston White put on a display of intelligent hitting and running between the wickets for nearly 30 overs.
Then one of those unpredictable incidents that often happen in the game of cricket occurred; Preston White injured his leg and retired hurt. The Snakes were 1 down for 169 with still nine batsmen not out and only 60 runs to score.
Soon after this, Caboolture wickets began to tumble including Batticciotto’s for 55. He was out to an incredible diving catch in short cover by Ben “he never drops them” Laughlin.
The Thunder’s bowling, catching, fielding and all-around awareness went into a higher gear, the spectators reacted with positive applause and suddenly the Thunder’s players sensed victory.
White returned to the crease but was out for 85 trying to hit another six. The eight wickets to get went to seven, then six, and eventually the Caboolture team was nine down with still 19 runs to score. Jarrod Officer came on for the match’s final over and cleaned bowled their last batsman first ball. The Snakes were all out for 210, losing their last nine wickets for 41. Not one of their final seven batsmen had been able to reach double figures.
The wickets were shared around but bowling honours went to Dom Taylor with 3 for 39 off his 10. Overall, this was an incredible come from behind win for the team and is an indication of the team spirit and the will to win that the team possess. They are looking forward to the rest of the season and finals with growing confidence.
