Randall Woodley
Last weekend saw the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Cricket Club teams put in their worst match performances for many seasons.
After the rain affected matches the previous two weekends, four of the senior grade teams took to the fields last Saturday and each one was soundly beaten by their opposition.
Only Fourth Grade survived as their match was abandoned due to the state of the wicket. Whether it was the post-holidays syndrome, lack of practice or maybe the attitude of the players, it will need to change next weekend when all the teams enter the two-day match format heading for the finals.
FIRST GRADE: Starting late due to the state of the oval, the Thunder boys batted first against the young Coolum Sharks team. Although there were a couple of regulars missing the team looked strong on paper. That’s where it ended. On a hot steamy afternoon, the team was bowled out for 66 in the 22nd over, which must be one of the lowest scores recorded by a First Grade Thunder team for many seasons. Only captain Michael Eckard (15) and Chris Hopper (13) reached double figures.
If it was the wicket that caused the problem for the Thunder batters it did not seem to bother the Sharks players and they passed the Thunder’s score in the 20th over for the loss of five wickets. The one positive that can be taken from the match was the continuing season’s performance of young opening bowler, Zac Murray who took 3 for 19 off 6 overs.
Next week the team is at home against the Nambour Cutters.
Attendance at training this week and seeking answers to their poor performances should be compulsory for all First Graders.
SECOND GRADE: Playing bottom of the table Nambour Cutters at home, the Seconds did not perform much better than the First-Grade team.
Batting first they were bowled out for 111. Only four Thunder batters reached double figures and none of them could progress further. The opposition passed the Thunder score in the 28th over for the loss of five wickets. The standout bowler waws Ollie Wilson who took 3-29.
The team needs to regroup this week, practice long and hard and look at all facets of their game if they intend to be in the finals in March.
Next week they travel south to take on University.
THIRDS: Winning the toss, Thunder decided to bat first against Glasshouse on a hot and humid day. The innings started badly to be 4-20 early on. From there it was slow going with a combination of the Rangers bowling well, some missed opportunities and a very slow outfield. Thunder clawed its way back to 90 before the next wicket fell, but from there a steady stream of wickets saw the team struggle to be 8 for 135 at the end of the 40 overs.
Mike Thomson was back in the team for the first time in several months and got off to a flier taking a wicket with his first delivery. Unfortunately that was the highlight of Thunder’s fielding innings. Glasshouse batted well, giving very little and making the conditions that Thunder found difficult, look reasonably easy. The Rangers passed the target score with the loss of only 2 wickets.
The captain commented after the game, “It’s a disappointing result given the talent we have in the team. Focus, positive energy and discipline is needed collectively to turn things around.”
Next week the team the team is at home playing Maroochydore Swans in a two-day match.
FIFTHS: Another poor performance by this team. Bowled out for 93 at Palmwoods who then passed Thunders score in the 25th over. Only highlight for Thunder was Justin Latimer’s 4-17 off 7 overs.
Next week the team is at home against Nambour.
