1st Grade vs Gympie Gold
TNCC 1st Grade returned from Gympie with a convincing victory and the sense of something special building. Sent into the field after losing the toss, the boys were more than happy to bowl first and the attack delivered.
Michael Eckard struck early, before Josh Gittins produced a dream first over, claiming two huge scalps in Waugh and Dennien. With Eckard and Ben Giddy chiming in again, Gympie were reeling at 5–38 after 16 overs.
Some middle-order resistance nudged the home side upwards to 7–76 and later 8–107, but Josh Christensen’s tidy spell tightened the screws. Gympie eventually scraped to a competitive 142, with our bowlers grinding away bravely in the heat. A few runs went begging through loose fielding, but the collective effort was excellent, no dropped catches and a hard slog in oppressive conditions.
Our chase began with purpose as Samadhi Baker and Eckard ticked over ones and twos with ease. After a wicket, Joe Murray played with intent and added 26, and at 2/89 the innings was humming. A mini-wobble at 3/92 and the skipper cramp-ridden, who toughed out for 41, caused a few nerves.
A partnership between Andy and Tristan steadied things before both fell in quick succession, the score 6/125. Cooper Lea and Riley Woolmer put it to bed closing the game out clinically in the 31st over. A very good win against an experienced Gympie outfit who we play in the T20 semi-final next week in Maroochydore.
2nd Grade vs NUSCCC
After Seconds were sent out to field, Levi opened superbly, hooping the ball and beating the bat repeatedly. “Rowdy” backed him up, striking first with a bowling an opener. Levi continued the pressure, drawing two edges taken by Ben Blackwell at slip.
Riley Carroll then trapped a batter LBW, and Benny Woolmer produced a beautiful slider to hit the stumps. Adam Graves and Rory Ramsden closed out the innings clinically, each taking wickets as NUSCCC finished 8/150 from 40 overs. Superb discipline from the bowlers backed up by some flawless fielding.
The chase was dominated by Blake Steele, who was gifted a life early and made the visitors regret it. He launched an extraordinary 68 from 32 balls, clearing the boundary with regular sixes. After Steele chipped one back to the bowler, Rory added 30 before falling and Ben Blackwell and the skipper finished the job quickly—2/155 in 21 overs. A near-perfect start to the one-dayers.
3rd Grade vs Maroochydore
A youthful 3rd Grade side travelled to Maroochydore and encountered a pitch that looked “lively”. Despite planning to bowl first, thirds lost the toss and were sent in, but the group knew if they could bat the overs, they were a chance.
Batting was difficult early with a couple of early wickets, but Jason Toohey displayed some resilience, making a valuable 26 while steadying the innings through a rain delay. Regular wickets followed but Bailey Hozier (29) shifted the momentum back our way before falling late. A strong finish was needed and David Baker (23*) and young Lewis Ramsden added a crucial 31-run partnership before lightning ended play. Disappointing not to play a full game as the team felt they were a chance.
6th Grade vs Caloundra
At Dale Officer Oval, a pristine wicket courtesy of Matt Mayo greeted both sides. Caloundra elected to bowl, and in the oppressive heat the batters grafted their way to 140 from the 40 overs. Mayo led the way with a hard-earned 35 (71), supported by contributions from Craig Moore (13), Brian Lee (11) and Morgan Avery (14).
With ball in hand, Justin Latimer was tight early, and breakthroughs came via Cooper Withers (1–20 from 4) and an excellent spell from Morgan Avery (3–24 from 6), who found himself on a hat-trick. Brian Lee and Matt Mayo added a wicket apiece as TNT pressed hard getting Caloundra down to 7-129. Unfortunately, lightning caused an early finish and meant 6th grade went down.
14B vs Coolum Tiger Sharks – Two-Day Match, Day 1
Winning the bat flip in Marcoola, the team bowled first and immediately hit their straps. Will, returning from a week off, struck twice in his opening two overs. Coolum worked their way to 2/76, but disciplined bowling and patient fielding kept scoring tight.
Eli broke the partnership with skilful flight before Will, Tian and captain Stella cleaned up the innings. A target of 101 was set.
Eli and Jimmy began solidly, with Eli seeing off the new ball. Jimmy fell LBW, bringing Tian to the middle—and he put on a show. After settling in, he unleashed eight boundaries and three sixes in a commanding 62*, partnered ably by Henry (18*).
TNCC finished the day 2/103, already in front and well positioned to push for an outright next weekend.
U12A vs Maroochydore Swans Reds
Losing the toss and being sent in turned out to be a blessing. James and Chris opened beautifully, adding 91 with smart running and positive intent. James retired, Olly fell to a screamer, and Chris (36*) retired soon after.
Eddie (24*) and Zack (32*) continued the momentum, retiring as well and pushing the total beyond 160. A small cluster of wickets prompted a declaration at 5/191, with James returning and finishing an excellent 46*.
With 12 overs to bowl, the energy was outstanding. Will snagged the first wicket with a sharp catch from Zack, Louis bowled superbly to earn his scalp, and Olly produced a brilliant run-out. At stumps the Swans sat 3/50, with Tewantin in a strong position for next week, with pressure building and no byes conceded thanks to Leo’s tidy keeping.
