Randall Woodley
It was a solid weekend for all the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder cricket teams, most teams playing day one of their two-day matches.
However, the standout highlight of the weekend was the 130 runs scored by First Grader Lewis Waugh in the club’s match against Nambour Cutters at the showgrounds.
FIRST GRADE: The team travelled to Nambour to play the locals at the showground in what some players consider is the steam bath ground on the coast. It was a hot day with not a breath of wind so when the Tewantin-Noosa captain won the toss and batted there were some very relieved Thunder players.
The outfield was slow, and the wicket could be considered a road. Openers Lewis Waugh and Ben Laughlin started confidently and had scored 98 before the first wicket of Ben Laughlin fell for 54.
Jake Dennien, Jarrod Officer (34), Cody Pyne (24) and Andrew Kratzmann (29) all contributed to the score, but the innings was all about Waugh who stayed at the crease until the end when the last wicket fell for 309. He scored 130 making batting look effortless.
Thunder were all out in the 84th over which was the planned declaration.
All 10 out were caught with a few of the wickets lost going for quick runs. That left Thunder 10 overs minimum to bowl. Both Tom Stewart and Ben Laughlin bowled tightly and at stumps the Cutters were 1 for 30 with plenty of work to do next week! Congratulations Lewis Waugh on another 100.
SECOND GRADE: The team had a long afternoon in the heat against the Caboolture Snakes at Read Park. All the bowlers performed well but wickets were hard to come by and at stumps Caboolture were 2-205. Thunder wicket-takers were Ben Potter and Jarred Davis. Next Saturday will be an interesting day, depending how long Caboolture will continue to bat.
THIRD GRADE: The team was playing the first day against the top side in the grade, Maroochydore Swans at their home ground. Thunder was asked to field first, and their opening bowlers held the Swan’s batsmen to about six runs off 12 overs. This applied pressure led to the inevitable playing of loose shots and in the end Thunder bundled them out for 110. All the bowlers continued with excellent line and length with best figures from Richard Lee 4-18 and Tadhg Crowley 3-24. Tiernan Crowley, Ben Shaw and Ethan Slaney all took a wicket each.
This team continues to improve each week in every department and last Saturday was the team’s best day of cricket this season so far. At the end of play Thunder were 3-70 in reply with plenty of depth still to come next weekend.
FIFTH GRADE: The boys were playing Palmwoods at Dale Officer Oval and bowled first. The team were soon on top having them 3 down for 67. That is where the joy ended for a couple of hours with two of their batters putting on a 200-run partnership. By the time Thunder got the breakthrough, they were 4-263. To everyone’s credit, the Thunder players stuck it out and managed to pick up the remaining six wickets to have them all out for 356.
Best of the bowlers were Graham Chaplin 4-29 and Wayne Moore 3-111 who could easily had 5. Tony Watson, Finn Mayo and Dave Lyons all snagged a wicket each.
Thunder then had to bat out seven overs at the end of the day which did not go well and at stumps the scoreboard read 3 -27. However the team is prepared to turn up next Saturday and give it a go.
SIXTH GRADE: The team was hosting the ladder leaders Caloundra at home and were asked to field in the heat first. Things started well with Justin Talbot taking a wicket first ball and then Justin Latimer removed the other openers stumps soon after. The whole team bowled and fielded well and kept them contained on the small field to be ahead at first drinks. After dropping a few catches, the boys got things back on track and were soon taking wickets again after the tea break and Thunder were able to contain Caloundra’s score to 190, all out. Wickets were shared around between the bowlers with Latimer, Talbot, Gesell and Blundell each taking two and the others to Ron Lewis and new junior, Max Joyce.
Left to face three overs with the bat before close of play Ron Lewis and Naveen Chand played smart and finished the day at 0-5 with an achievable total to chase down next week to knock off the competition leaders.
JUNIOR CRICKET
UNDER 17S: The team is finally showing its capabilities with a strong win over fourth placed Coolum. On Saturday they did everything right that they had been working towards including their fielding. They took their catches and bowled tight so that the scoreboard pressure became too much for the opposition.
There were some great performances by a number of the team, however, the Tom Daly and Finn Mayo spell(s) were integral early on a spinner’s wicket and Will Cooke took three in one over, unlucky not to get a hat-trick. Finn Mayo scored a classy 46, Brandon Henderson took three catches and Morgan Avery, and Max Joyce snagged a wicket each.
The openers set the scene with a 204-run opening partnership on day one.
Great win and a chance to make the finals.
UNDER 15s. The team bowled and fielded well as a team on day two of their match to restrict USC to 8-164 off their 55 overs and take an away win in hot and humid conditions in Nirimba. Thunder did well to keep up the concentration and apply pressure all morning. Best Thunder bowlers- Bailey Hozier 3-7, Harper Whyatt 2-19 and Rory Ramsden and Tom Mason with a wicket each. The team will look to make it 3 wins in a row with their next 2-day game against Coolum.
WOMENS GRADE: The team had a great win under lights over USC in their first mother and daughters match. The Thunder girls scored 5-134 with Kirsty 25 top scoring and captain Petrina 19 no. They restricted the USC girls to 93 runs off their 20 overs.
