By Randall Woodley
The highlight of the weekend’s Tewantin-Noosa cricket matches was veteran Chris Wright’s magnificent 145 scored against the Caboolture team at Read Park. Chris returned full time this year to captain the Second Grade team which includes a number of teenage players.
First Grade: The team played last year’s premiers Caboolture at their home ground in a 50 overs-a-side match. Caboolture, batting first scored 253 off their 50 overs. TNT bowlers were on top early and had the home side 3/70 but a fourth wicket partnership of 114 saw the Snakes build a very solid score. The best bowling figures for TNT were from Stephen Shaw 3/45, Jarrod Officer 3/51 and Rowdy Thomson 2/48. Although it was a long day for the team chasing leather the catching was classy with young Alex Bennett taking three outfield catches.
Batting second, TNT lost wickets regularly and failed to build partnerships even though many of the batsmen got starts. This has been the trend for the team and they will need to mend this problem quickly if they are to be a force in the competition. The one pleasing feature of the team’s innings of 155 was captain Stephen Shaw’s return to form with a solid and patient innings of 64. Only other batsmen to lodge a score was Ben Gear (24). Next weekend the team will play Glasshouse Mountains at Read Park.
Second Grade: The team were home at Read Park to the Caboolture Snakes and after winning the toss batted first. Losing their first wicket early, captain Chris Wright and teenager Darcy Morgan set about building an innings. What followed was a superb match defining partnership of 185 in 26 overs. Their score was aided by poor bowling and sloppy fielding. Morgan departed for a well compiled 61 and Kent Officer scored some late runs (24 not out). Wright finished on 145 in the closing stages with 120 runs in boundaries highlighting the poor field placements and bowling.
The Caboolture innings was restrained by a good opening spell from Keegan Bean, with Jye Baker 2/21, Mitch Brown 2/17 and Kym Sims 2/20 reaping the rewards to close the Caboolture innings for 175 in a good team effort and a great win over the Snakes. Onto another challenge next week facing Glasshouse away.
Third Grade: The Thirds were away at Caloundra in a reduced 35 over match. TNT got off to a very positive start before Tony Watson (17) unfortunately played a loose shot to have the team 1/27 after six. However, the team battled and ended up with 144. Top scorer was Mike Sobey (44) and Kieran Dunning enjoyed hitting the first six of his career. Unfortunately, TNT’s bowling was a bit wayward and only Harry Wilkinson (1/15 off 6) and Ayush Chamoli (0/27) really were consistent and able to tie up the batsmen. Dropped catches and poor fielding didn’t help when pressure was needed. Caloundra chased down the runs with six overs to spare but it was a top effort from an under-strength team. Next weekend the Thirds will be at home at Dale Officer Oval playing Coolum.
Fourths – TNT’s match against Palmwoods was played at Dale Officer Oval but ended in a loss to the visiting team. Palmwoods batted strongly and ended up with a huge total of 246, losing six wickets in the process. The TNT boys did their best to reach this target but fell short on 5/154. Outstanding innings were from the Australian “Veteran’s” batsman, Gary Madsen who scored 72 and teenager Max Cooper 42. Next Saturday the team will play Caloundra at Caloundra High School.
