By JOHN HOPE
A GRADE –
Cooroy-Eumundi A Grade resumed at 1/61 needing 198 to defeat the Landsborough Loggers on day two of their clash in Landsborough. The overnight not out batsmen Janos Francis and Joel Kennedy started like a house on fire, adding 21 runs in only two overs before Kennedy was surprisingly dismissed for a well compiled 52. Kennedy had looked to be heading for a century to back up his 87 in round 1 when he played over a good ball from the Loggers skipper and was bowled.
Francis and the new batsman Jesse Ritchie added a further 28 before Ritchie was caught to leave the game in the balance at 3/110. Cougar captain Mick Carman joined stoic opener Francis to take the total to 137 before Francis had his stumps rattled to end a fine knock of 51 off 113 balls which set a wonderful foundation for the Cooroy run chase. Next batsman to the crease was 18-year-old Tom Mackee who quickly moved into his stride and dominated a magnificent stand of 150 in only 28 overs with his skipper before being dismissed just 14 short of a century. His 86 came at a run a ball and included 12 boundaries as he and Carman pulped the Loggers in the most emphatic manner. Carman continued on to make 93 (off 142 balls with nine fours) before being caught just seven runs shy of what would have been a well-deserved ton. Useful late contributions from left hander Adam Curry who hit his benchmark 44, Pat Paterson (17 off 15 balls) and wicketkeeper Josh Wiersma (15 off 20 balls) completed the pulverisation of the Landsborough attack as the Cougars finished the day at an impressive 9/397. Next week, the Cougars travel to Kenilworth and will be buoyed by this comprehensive and commanding win.
B GRADE – Well what a day. Easy first innings win for the Cougars but credit to the Loggers for posting a second innings lead of 100 runs. With nearly two hours left to play, the Cougars should have romped this in. Despite a small target to chase, the boys were at 8/ 85, leaving 15 runs to win with only 16 minutes left in the day; match winners being Zac McBurnie and Harvey Hope. Ball by ball everyone was on the edge of their seat, four runs off the last over was all that was needed. McBurnie creams one to the boundary only to pull up short, the boys run three. One run needed, Hope drives a single through covers for one and everybody was up standing, enjoying the win.
Congratulations to this team that will go a long way this season if they can focus on a team environment, instead of their own individual performances, special mention to Jarred Davis who took 2 /2 and master classed as a batsman, making 36 runs out of a total of 101 to set up an outright victory for the Cougars, its not very often but well done Loggers for a great game.
C GRADE – Cougars made 132, Coolum resumed at 1/77, a dominant display of swing bowling by Ashley Woods took us to the drinks break at 5/95, the Cougars could sniff an unlikely victory but it wasn’t meant to be, Coolum were all out for 176 with a 44-run lead. The Cougars were after quick runs, and after four overs were 4/22. Ashley Woods played a controlled big hitting complex master innings to guide Cooroy out of trouble, with both captains agreeing to end the match as no further result could be achieved. Ashley Woods was unbeaten on 51, and special thanks to Chris Langfeldt, Odin Cussin, Jonathon Lowth and gun feilder Josh Thompson who all play under 16s who stepped up to the plate.
5TH DIVISION
The Cougar 5ths resumed at 1/16 chasing 401 and after an hour were 1/127 with Ken Park (75) and Phil Giblett (50) at the crease. Quick wickets followed with only Michael Henbury (26) offering resistance to get the total to 204. Sent in to bat again, the Cougars finished on 4/125 with all batsmen getting a start including Andy Bowden smashing 43 and Kenny Park completing an excellent double 21no.
U16s
The Cougar U/16B team suffered their first defeat by five runs against Maroochydore. Chasing 119 and resuming at 5/71, the Cougars were comfortable at 5/89 before a series of wickets saw the team dismissed for 114. Maroochydore went back in and were in control at 1/37 before a spirited fight back saw them tumble to 9/63 with over an hour left to play. However, a last wicket partnership of 22 saw the runs required and time available prove too much. Johnathon Lowth 3/14 and George Giblett 2/3 were the chief destroyers. Cooroy finished on 2/36 in reply with Mitch Martin 20no.
T20 BLAST – WOW pretty much describes the very first T20 Blast at Cooroy. Co-ordinator Analiese Long and her ompa ompas put on a great show for the kids, junior sport at grass roots level, cricket under lights, free hits, loud music and sixes being hit has the BBL running a distant second at Cooroy Cricket Club on a Friday night, a brand new concept in cricket. Cricket action for 1.5 hours has the kids playing non stop.
Cooroy Eumundi Cricket Club has been chosen as a cricket hub by Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket, so if your looking to have your child involved in a safe sporting eniviroment then get on down to the club on a Friday night to participate from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Non stop action for the kids, age from 6 -10 boys and girls, only a fraction of the cost of other sports.
