In a weekend of mixed results for the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Cricket Club, three teenagers took the honours, each scoring a century last Saturday.
The other youngster to shine was Tadhg Crowley who took nine wickets in the third-grade match against Palmwoods.
The first two teenagers who scored tons were Ollie Wilson 176 no and Jack Caspers 124, playing in the club’s under 17 team against the Coolum Sharks. Ollie, who was hit in the jaw early in his innings, and Jack put on what could be a club record of 204 for their opening stand.
Then in the afternoon, Rory Ramsden, aged 13 and playing fifth grade against Glasshouse, scored a 103 not out. These young men showed that the club is in excellent hands for the years ahead.
SENIOR CRICKET
FIRST GRADE: Day 2 v Caboolture.
It might have been shown as a draw in the scorebook, but the club will claim it as a win. It really was a case of the team of amateurs playing against a team stacked with a number of ex-Queensland or Brisbane First Grade cricketers. But by stumps last Saturday night there were smiles on the faces of only one team – Thunder.
Caboolture declared overnight, setting Thunder 419 to win. With 30mm of rain during the week and a slightly wet outfield, the team’s goal was to bat all day for the draw. Lewis Waugh and Jacob Andrew batted patiently through the first hour but all their great work was wiped away when three wickets fell in the first over after drinks. At lunch, the home side was five wickets down for 74 and it was looking like the team would be batting again in the afternoon.
However, the boys rallied and veteran Andrew Kratzmann and youngster Cooper Lea put on 50 across the next hour before Cooper went for 33, the score was then 7-142. The next 44 overs were pure determination and most of them with two or three fielders around the bat. Kratzmann was joined by captain Dom Taylor with the partnership lasting through to the 85th over when Kratzmann went LBW for 67 off 159 balls, never looking like getting out until he did.
Out came Scott Aufderheide to join the defiant skipper and they stayed through until the second last over before Scott went with nine balls to go.
Last batsman, Tom Stewart showed no fear and effortlessly played the three balls he faced leaving the captain six balls to defend with 10 fielders crowded around him. He was never getting out and finished the day on 72* from 150 balls.
The day saw 99 overs bowled, nine wickets lost, 265 runs scored but a crucial and exciting draw secured and the 28 home hame winning streak stays alive.
Club stalwart Jarrod Officer summed up the match.
“One of the best batting performances I’ve been a part of in a lot of pressure all day for the amateurs against the pros.”
Next week, the team is at Nambour for their two-day match against the Cutters.
SECOND GRADE: On day one of the match the Thunder team was bundled out for 118 and Palmwoods was 1-72 at stumps. Day two saw Thunder needing wickets early and Tyrone De Kauwe struck early with Will Cooke taking a blinder at square leg. However, after that the Thunder bowlers had to work hard for their wickets before Palmwoods finished on 187. The highlight of the day was the bowling partnership between the two spinners Ben Potter (3-62) and Jason Toohey (5-40).
Thunder batted again but for the second week in a row their batsmen never managed to handle the opposition bowlers.
Next Saturday they play Caboolture at Read Park, and an improved batting display will be vital for the team.
THIRD GRADE: On day two of the game against Palmwoods, the team was faced with an opposition who refused to bowl on the ground affected by rain. After lengthy discussions, the Thunder who had already secured first innings points, declared at 9 for 150 and allowed Palmwoods to bat a second time. Palmwoods finished the day at 6.30 in fading light on 6-142 with Tadhg Crowley taking another four wickets to have a solid nine wicket haul for the match. It was a splendid example of consistent line and length bowling with the ball moving both ways.
Overall, a great result for the Thunder team over the second placed side in the grade. Excellent momentum heading towards finals in a team that becomes stronger each week. Well done to everyone but especially our juniors, for giving it all on a frustrating, long and difficult day.
Big test next week against ladder leaders, Maroochydore Swans.
FIFTH GRADE The team returned to Glasshouse for day two looking to avoid an outright loss by having to likely bat a large part of the afternoon. Glasshouse continued their innings and finished with a first innings lead of 224. Best bowling figures for Thunder were Rory Ramsden 3-47, Matt Mayo 3-38 and Ian Brundell 2-65.
The batting plan for Thunder was obviously to improve on their first innings of 50 and not get bowled out for the outright loss. After a slightly worrying start again at 2-38, Aedan Mayo 11 (71) and Rory Ramsden steadied things and both played impressive and disciplined innings. Farren Cooke continued on in the same manner ending on 21 no off 67 balls, and Rory scoring his maiden century, 103 not out and facing 173 balls. These teenagers saw out the rest of the innings to finish on a much-improved score of 3-183. The team is looking to take that momentum into the final games of the regular season.
