Last weekend all the Thunder Club’s senior teams played the first day of their two-day matches and most are in strong positions for wins next Saturday.
FIRST GRADE: The team travelled to Caboolture to take on last year’s premiers the Snakes to be greeted by a good wicket and a fast outfield. Winning the toss the visitors batted first and put on one of the best displays of batting by a Thunder team for some years.
The two openers, Sam Baker (29) and Andy Batten (26) set the foundations for a huge score. After they were dismissed Ben Claypole(38) and the skipper Michael Eckard (65) came to the crease and looked comfortable manipulating bowlers and field with positive cricket shots. The top four batters felt they left runs out in the middle, but the next batter did not. Later Jarrod Officer admitted “He had not been hitting them well so far this season”, but on Saturday he put this reference behind him. The Caboolture bowlers had no answers for his 136 with timely drives and big sixes. He scored his runs off 122 balls with sixteen 4s and four 6s. At the other end, veteran Andrew Kratzmann cruised to 71 not out barely taking a risk and placing the ball into gaps with some effortless stroke play. He looked set for a 100 but the team decided to have a crack at the Snakes’ tired players and the captain declared at 5 for 393 after some late clean hitting from Copper Lea (24 no).
Both of Thunder openers bowled really well creating chances with Zac Murray taking two wickets to have them 2-16 runs at stumps. This was a great day for the Thunder boys and they will finish the match next Saturday.
Next Sunday, October 29 the semi-finals and the final of the T20 competition will be played at Maroochydore’s Ground. Tewantin-Noosa are leading the table and are confident of bringing home the trophy.
SECOND GRADE: The team were at Read Park and fielded first against the Caboolture Snakes on Day 1 of their match. Confidence was high with the return of a number of players, including captain Tristan Griffin, veteran Robbie Payton and Tyron De Kauwe. Opening bowlers Tyron and Chris Berry started well with Tyron picking up a wicket early. Young guns Luke Smalley and Oliver Wilson followed suit with some scintillating spells. Jarred Davis also bowled well with turn and bounce, picking up two wickets of his own. Caboolture were eventually bowled out for 157 off 50 overs. Best bowling figures- Ollie Wilson 4-29, Luke Smalley 2-11, and Jarred Davis 2-25.
Thunder had to face 22 overs before stumps. After losing two early wickets, captain Tristan Griffin (22 no) and young Finn Mayo played out the remaining overs to have the home side 2 for 47 at stumps, 110 runs in arears and setting up an exciting run chase next week!
THIRD GRADE: The Fallon Electrical Third Graders were at home against USC last Saturday. They won the toss and decided to bat – Brendan Wright and Steven Hill started well until Hill was out with the score on 42. His partner Wright was out for 32 and soon after the team were struggling somewhat on what appeared to be a good wicket.
Enter teenager Rory Ramsden and experienced Daniel Cooke. Rory had scored an unbeaten 80 in junior cricket on the same wicket that morning and simply just kept going. Daniel worked with Rory and together they put on nearly a hundred to place Thunder back in the box seat. Rory fell for 42 and then Daniel for 73 – both with faultless innings. Farran Cooke (32 n.o.) and Luke Anstey (19 n.o.) batted to stumps with Thunder on 6-265 and setup to have a good crack next week.
FOURTH GRADE: On Day 1 of their match against Landsborough, at their ground the Thunder boys batted first. After losing a few early wickets the innings was steadied and then built by Jeremy Holland (38) and returning player Bob McGhee (86). A solid knock from Dave Baker (18*) along with a quickfire 18 from Bailey Hozier gave great support and the innings finished on 192.
Thunder turned to the old guard to open the bowling and Bob McGhee (2/22) and Anthony Blackwell were spot on. Bailey Hozier then came into the attack and bowled with great maturity and consistency. The fielding was great, especially Alek Dillewaard who conservatively saved 20 plus runs turning certain boundaries to dot balls. Landsborough finished the day on 2-57 and with the game in the balance, early wickets will be needed next week.
UNDER17S: The team were at Maroochydore on Day 1 of their match against the Swans. Losing the toss, they were asked to bowl first. Welcomed into the team for this match were Eddie Smith and Bryce Bawden from the Under 15s’.
The batting innings for Maroochydore was very good and they ended up on 260.
TNT put in some very good fielding and bowling efforts with Oliver Wilson taking 3-44 off 11 and 2 wickets each to Morgan Avery and Cooper Withers. Finn Mayo and Max Joyce rounding out our innings with a wicket each. The Swans captain scored a well-earned 153.
It was a good team effort today on a hot morning in the field and the team are still confident that with sensible batting next weekend, they can get over the line.
UNDER 15S. The team were playing University at Dale Officer Oval and elected to bat first. Openers Aedan Mayo (33) and Ben Blackwell (67) made a great start with the first wicket falling on 99. Innings of the day to Rory Ramsden (80). Fenn Peddie (30) supported well. The Thunder finished on 5-306. A strong total but one that will require good bowling and fielding next week in order to win the match.
WOMEN’S GRADE: The Women’s team travelled to Caboolture for their first game of the season. The result did not go their way but there were a few positives to take away. One of their new players Talei, took a wicket with her first ball in her very first game of cricket; next over she took two more and was on a hatrick, finishing with the very respectable figures of 3-14 off four overs.
