By Randall Woodley
Senior Cricket with Randall Woodley
Three of TNT’s senior cricket teams had decisive wins in their One -Day matches last Saturday. The Firsts won by 113 runs, the Seconds defeated Nambour by 5 wickets and the Fourths had a great win over Yandina.
FIRSTS Playing the Nambour Cutters at Read Park and batting first, the TNT’s batting line-up achieved what they had been threatening to do all season – the top order scoring solid runs. In fact, six of the top seven all scored more than 20 each. Chris Wright set the scene with a forceful 66 and Captain Jake Dennien continued his batting resurgence with 58. Other scores were Ben Gear 45, Jarrod Officer 41, Andrew Kratzmann 31 no and Adam Curry 23. At the end of the 50 overs TNT had posted 6 for 292, a very formidable target. There were two big partnerships during the morning- 102 by Wright and Gear and 92 by Officer and Dennien and later a 22 ball 55 by Kratzmann and Curry to finish the innings.
After lunch, Nambour needed to start well and keep ahead of TNT’s run rate. Their premier batsman, Steve Ledger certainly did this and although hampered by a groin injury he scored an impressive 73 off 67 balls which included three sixers. He punished all the bowlers but unfortunately his team mates were unable to back him up. The Cutters were eventually all out for 179 in the 39th over. The outstanding bowling performance was by Jacob Dennien who took 6 wickets for 26 (to go with his 58) which included 3 catches by his father, wicket-keeper Troy. The other wickets were shared by Tom Freshwater, Scott Aufderheide and Lachie Gunner. The only down side of the win was the 20 wides bowled by the team. This will need to be improved on when they play in the One-day finals.
SECONDS Bowling first against Nambour at the showgrounds, it was left to the TNT team’s teenage change bowlers to start the wickets falling. Harrison Lea took 2 for 13 off 6 overs and Keegan Bean snared 2 for 17 in his 8 overs to have the opposition 5 for 62. Then Todd McNamee grabbed two wickets and after another to Tommy Green plus a couple of run-outs, Nambour finished on 134.
Heading out to bat, the TNT’s captain was confident his openers would find some form and get them off to a good start. His confidence was rewarded and with 4 batsmen scoring freely, the target score was passed in the 27th over for the loss of only 4 wickets. Best scores were from Tristan Griffin, returning to form with 27, Harry Sheppard 26 no, Todd McNamee 23 and Michael Perry 19. The win keeps the team in the top 4 with more wins on the cards in the weeks ahead.
THIRDS Losing the toss, TNT were asked to bowl first against Coolum. Despite some good opening bowling by Mitch Langan, the opposition got off to a strong start and after their 40 overs had scored 198. Troy Evans was the pick of the bowlers with 3-29. Others to take wickets were Wayne Moore, Cody Wright and Jason Toohey. Dropped chances were again the story of the day which left Coolum off the hook. In reply TNT scored 136. Best of the batsmen were Michael Sobey 36, Brendan Wright 28, Reece Langan 22 and a quick 15 by Kent Officer.
FOURTHS travelled to Yandina for a match between two teams placed equal 2nd on the ladder. Playing on a synthetic grass pitch and a small ground that the home side have been scoring 300 on a regular basis, it was always going to be a tight game. After losing another toss TNT were sent into the field with Yandina hoping to post another massive score.
TNT’s openers started well, bowling nice tight lines with Luke Anstey picking up an early wicket. The middle 15 overs saw TNT taking another 5 wickets and slowed Yandina’s run rate. Good catches to Brendan Chaplin and Naveen Chand kept Yandina to 205 after their 40 overs.
TNT’s innings started positively but then two wickets fell in succession. Teenager Jack Saunders came in and steadied the ship and with Tony Watson steered the team to within 69 runs of the win before Jack fell. Justin Talbot joined Watson at the crease and bludgeoned 42 in quick order to knock Yandina out of the game. Player of the match was Tony Watson who opened the batting and held his bat through the innings for a 74 n.o. TNT reached the score of 207 after 35 overs and with 5 wickets in hand to secure a well-deserved victory.
WOMENS TEAM. The TNT women played Palmwoods in a T20 match at Read Park on Sunday. Batting first the TNT team registered a score of 7-62 after being in real trouble at 5-28. Top score was Paula McKie with 17no. Palmwoods got off to a flyer in reply, before Maddie Duncan’s 5-24 made inroads to put pressure back on them. However, Palmwoods passed the home side’s score in the 11th over.
