Quote of the week- “What is the difference between Cinderella and English batsmen? ……. Cinderella knew when to leave the ball !”
Thanks to clear skies, the four Thunder cricket teams were able to play their one-day matches last weekend and three came home with wins.
Due to the current uncertain Covid environment, the association has changed the format for the final three matches of the season and instead of the games being played over two Saturdays, they will now be split into six one-day matches, playing the same team two Saturdays in a row. First Grade will be 50 over games and all other grades 40 overs.
FIRST GRADE
The team achieved their 21st win in a row but it was not all that convincing. They will need to regroup as they travel south to face the Caboolture Snakes next Saturday and the week after in two crucial 50-over matches.
Playing sixth-placed Caloundra at Read Park, the boys were confident but had to make a number of late changes to their line-up due to Covid illnesses.
Captain Jake Dennien won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket that had not been used for over a month. It proved to be a little difficult to score runs on and the slow outfield restricted the usual free flowing Thunder’s game.
After losing an early wicket, Lewis Waugh and Dennien put together a steady partnership to move to 50 before Dennien was run-out. Waugh (37) and Ben Claypole (19) looked good before both lost their wickets to have the team at 6 for 100 off 30 overs with some work to do.
As he has done a few times this year, Dom Taylor (33) was able to hold the innings together, helped by Tom Stewart who came out and hit a crucial run-a-ball 19. Thunder were all out on the last ball of the innings for 160 which, although a little disappointing, was probably about par on a pitch that played up and down.
Caloundra came out intent on getting thorough the first hour which they did well. The Thunder bowlers were a bit rusty. giving runs away with no-balls and wides but overall, they kept it tight.
It took until the 25th over to claim the first wicket with Tom Stewart getting the breakthrough with the score on 68. Wickets then began falling regularly to have the Lighthouses 8-123 with Ben Laughlin and Tom Stewart being the pick of the bowlers. Caloundra crawled to 146 before Thunder picked up the ninth wicket.
The game took an interesting turn in the 47th over when a wide hit a helmet behind the keeper giving them five penalty runs. However, Caloundra was all out off the last ball of the 49th over, seven runs short of the target. A relieved Thunder team gathered in the sheds and debriefed on what had been a narrow escape to the young and enthusiastic Caloundra side.
Best bowling figures were Ben Laughlin 4 -21 off 10 overs and Tom Stewart 3-34 off 10.
SECOND GRADE
Playing Caboolture at their ground, the Thunder team bowled first and held them to 0-20 after 8 overs. Then James Denslow struck with three wickets and the Snakes were 4 for 30. Thunder bowled tightly and fielded well and received the rewards, dismissing the opposition for 140.
Best bowling figures- James Denslow 3-29, Jason Toohey 2-18 and Nick Bennett 1-16.
When Thunder batted, they had Caboolture struggling to contain their batsmen and after seven overs, Thunder was 1-44. They went on to finish at 3 for 142 to win the match. Top scorers were Mark Kratzmann 42, Harrison Lea 30, Cooper Lea 24no and Nigel Webster 21no. The team’s next challenge is against Maroochydore at home.
FOURTH GRADE
The team went down to Yandina in a close game. Thunder posted 9 for 139 but Yandina was able to pass their score for the loss of six wickets. Luke Anstey took 3-22 whilst R. Lee top scored for Thunder with 29.
Next Saturday they take on Stanley Rivers at home.
SIXTH GRADE
Playing at home the Sixes scored a very convincing win against Yandina. Thunder batted first and scored 7 for 191 off their 40 overs. Yandina, in reply, could only muster 97 runs, all out. Top wicket taker was Wayne Moore with 4 for 9 and top scorer for Thunder was Max Cooper with 63. Next match is against Yandina at their ground.
JUNIOR MATCHES
Under 16s – The TNT boys played Maroochydore at home and finished the day with a solid win. They scored 4 for 130 with Talon Reichert the top scorer with 50 no. In reply Maroochydore were 8 for 103 after their 30 overs.
Under 15s – The team was at Cooroy for their match and finished eight runs short of a win. TNT scored 4 for 133 and after the final overs, Cooroy-Eumundi had managed to score 141 for the loss of seven wickets.
It was good to see the two newest junior players at the club (arrived from Victoria earlier in the week), Will (U16) and Farren Cooke (U15) went well in their first games, both scored and Farren took a wicket.
Under 13s – The Thunder team (7-98) lost in a close game against Nambour (6-118).
Under 12s – The Tewantin-Noosa Lightning team (7 -11) had a good win over Yandina (8-83).
Congratulations to William Caspers and Rory Ramsden who represented The Sunshine Coast Scorchers Under 13s team, taking home the Nev Poulsen Shield in Ipswich. After five days, six games and more than 30 hours of cricket, the boys should be very proud of themselves as it was a mighty effort in the heat.
