By Randall Woodley
The Sunshine Coast Cricket Season started last Saturday, junior games in the morning and all senior matches beginning by lunch time. The four Tewantin-Noosa Thunder senior teams, playing two-day matches were all in solid positions at the end of Day 1.
Firsts: The team started the season hosting the Coolum Club in their initial game in the 1st Division. TNT won the toss and sent the opposition into bat on one of the new turf wickets. It was expected that the bowling attack would be a bit below par with Tom Freshwater having only his second bowl since last year’s grand final and Scott Aufderheide probably only about 70% returning from a football shoulder injury.
However, the two spearheads started well from the first ball and after six overs each bowler had taken a wicket to have Coolum two down for 13 runs. The pitch was playing a little slow after the heavy rain during the week. Coolum’s captain, Sean McCullum knuckled down and although dropped a couple of times held their side together until he was eventually out late in their innings for 72. Teenager Tom Stewart came on and bowled exceptionally well having only having 9 runs scored off his first 6 overs beating the bat regularly. Club stalwart Jarrod Officer then took two wickets to have Coolum 4 for 70 at lunch. After lunch wickets fell regularly and at tea Coolum were all out for 147. A few dropped chances cost TNT the chance to bowl them out for around 100. An all- round good bowling performance on a pitch that probably did not suit the home team’s attack which will only get better.
Tom Freshwater was the pick of the bowlers continually beating the bat. He ended bowling 17 overs for figures of 2-40. Top wicket taker was Jarrod Officer, 4 for 36 off 14, Scott Aufderheide figures were 3 for 38 off 15 and Tom Stewart took the last wicket.
After tea, TNT had 32 overs to bat and the openers, Chris Wright and Scott Aufderheide started aggressively hoping to overhaul the target before stumps. The first wicket fell on 40 in the 8th over. Scott compiled a quick 24 before handing over to captain Jake Dennien and Andrew Kratzmann who put on a 95-run partnership. The pair picked up the run rate with 81 needed off the last 15 overs to achieve the target with Kratzmann being the aggressor. Unfortunately, Jake Dennien was out on the first ball of the last over for 29 with the score at 3-138 leaving Kratzmann unbeaten on 63.
Next Saturday the TNT boys will be looking to push the score up to 300 and then try and bowl out Coolum in the afternoon sessions.Top of Form
Seconds: The team travelled south to Coolum and after winning the toss decided to bowl first. The team started well with captain Robbie Payton taking a wicket in the first over and Mat Tie taking two more soon after to have them at 3 for 24. Coolum then put up the shutters, scoring at 2 runs an over. The TNT boys kept chipping away, eventually dismissing them for 142 just before stumps.
Pick of the bowlers were Ben Giddy 3 for 17 off 12 and Mat Tie 4 for 23 off 11. Brad Thompson and Tom Green picked up a wicket each. A special thankyou to all juniors who joined the team after playing all morning in their matches. Next Saturday the team will bat and should at least bring home first innings points.
Fourths: The team started the season with only 3 regular players from the previous season. After TNT losing the toss, Maroochydore got off to a great start. The wicket and field at Dale Officer Oval were quick, with the new mower improving the playing surface dramatically. Wayne Moore (2 for 27 off 12) took the first wicket at 63 and the run rate slowed. Bob McGhee continued to bowl tightly and picked up 2 wickets for 12 off 20 overs.
Captain Jason Toohey had the best figures of 5 for 17 off 12 overs, helped by some poor shot selection. In all TNT used 9 bowlers and dismissed Maroochydore late in the day for 180 off 67 overs.
In reply after 5 overs TNT were 1 for 5 and next week will need to concentrate if they are to achieve a first innings win.
Sixths: The boys made the trip out to Nambour and batted first after stand in skipper Shane Gesell won the toss. A mixed bag to begin the innings with the first wicket falling at 23 in the 9th and 2 more shortly after. A defiant Tony Watson was determined to get the season off to a good start and the TNT were 3-139 at tea with Watson 69 no and Shane Gesell 39 no.
Unfortunately, Watson was out shortly after the break for 74, completing a 107-run partnership with Gesell. Justin Talbot and the captain kept the scoreboard ticking over before Gesell fell on 43. Talbot added 30 and Joe Jurisevic 20 no, to see the innings finish on 202 with just under an hour of play left in the day.
Nambour were to face 13 overs and finished the day 1 for 24 off 6 overs before bad light finished the days play. Highlight of the bowling was Finley Maccoll taking his first wicket for TNT, to finish the day with 1-9.
