Around the Grounds
Week 1 was a run fest for the top three grades, with all posting commanding first innings totals.
First Grade are pushing for the win after a Jarrod Officer century helped the team post 9/306 before the bowlers dismantled Coolum taking 5/32 off 20 overs. Get down and support the team as they push for a second outright in a row.
Second grade are also in a commanding position, with a flawless century from Andrew Kratzmann helping to post 7/260 before declaring and Josh Christensen taking a key wicket before stumps.
Third grade continued the run glut, piling on 4/228 thanks to a crucial unbeaten partnership between Ben Wilson (91*) and Richard Lee (61*) with hopefully more to come next week.
Sixes are in a battle, with some tight bowling keeping Yandina to 8/237. Quick wickets and runs next week will be needed to get the win and push themselves into the finals.
Our women’s team was finally dealt their first loss with a strong Glasshouse team too good on the day.
An additional congratulations to our players representing the Sunshine Coast Scorchers, Cody Pyne who scored 85 in Scorchers 1s and Joe Murray with 90* in Scorchers 2s. It is amazing to see the club’s young talent doing so well at the next level.
First Grade Vs Coolum
First Grade hosted Coolum for Week 1 on a pristine Read Park with a special thanks to Cooper Lea for doing an incredible job preparing the field.
Coolum won the toss and bowled first. Despite an early wicket, Michael Eckard (74) and Samadhi Baker (50) dominated, pushing the total quickly to 137. Debutant Rory Ramsden then added 21 before a middle-order collapse left the Thunder in a little trouble at 7/169. A crucial partnership between the Jarrod Officer and Riley Woolmer (36) lifted the total to 275/8. The declaration came at 9/306 when Jarrod reached his century, a remarkable knock well supported by the young guys in the team.
Then it was time for the bowlers to shine and they did, reducing Coolum to 5/32 off 20 overs on a pretty benign pitch. Scott Aufderheide and Tom Stewart took two wickets each, with Ben Woolmer striking late. Nine maidens out of 20 overs capped a remarkable effort from the bowling attack. Firsts will be looking to wrap up the win next week and push for their second outright in a row.
Second Grade Vs Coolum
Traveling with a reshuffled XI, Second Grade won the toss and batted. Openers Andrew Kratzmann and Max Cooper built a solid foundation with 36 before Cooper departed. Kratzmann remained the backbone of the innings, peeling off a flawless 129 crisply picking gaps and manipulating the field for fun. Several players also chipped in, with contributions from Jarred Davis (35*) and Oliver Wilson (21 off 10), allowing the team to declare at 7/260.
With eight overs to bowl before stumps, the team struck early as Joshua Christensen removed a key batsman who has scored three centuries this season. The breakthrough gives TNT the upper hand heading into next week, where they will look to press home their advantage.
Third Grade Vs Glasshouse
3rd Grade faced Glasshouse at home and, after losing the toss, batted first. At 4/80, the middle order faced familiar struggles. However, a great partnership between Ben Wilson (91*) and Richard Lee (61*) put the pressure back on Glasshouse. The unbeaten 148-run stand guiding the team to 4/228 at stumps. Get down and watch at Dale Officer Oval as Thirds will be looking to continue the momentum into next week, posting a big score and bowling well to get the win.
Sixth Grade Vs Yandina
6th Grade bowled first in tough conditions at Yandina. Dale Brown and Morgan Avery took two wickets each, while debutant Olly Tilley impressed with 7 overs for just 8 runs before donning the gloves.
Yandina closed at 8/237 off 77 overs, leaving work to do next weekend.
A huge thanks to our junior players for stepping up this week, without whom we would have forfeited multiple grades. It is a testament to the strength of our club that so many players can be away with no noticeable drop in performance.
Women’s Team
The women had their first loss to a strong Glasshouse team, with an under par total not leaving much leeway despite some great fight shown in the field. Kirsty top scored with a well-made 21 and Keira played some incredible shots through cover to get the team to 84. The bowlers and fielders made Glasshouse work but ultimately, they chased the score with five overs remaining. Really proud of the efforts from the team regardless of the result and this loss will just make everyone hungrier to make finals and get our revenge.
