While intermittent showers loomed, it seems there was little chance they would spoil the day for Tewantin Noosa with all 3 teams achieving success, and thirds knocking over the first placed Nambour in a nail biting finish.
Seconds continued where they left off in a commanding position and looking for an outright win. Harrison Lea was dismissed early and Keegan Bean soon followed. When Jarrod Officer was run out for 80, Tewantin declared at 9-150, a lead of 60. A few dropped catches spoiled a good start but Tewantin were never really troubled despite the score moving to 90, before Mike Thomson picked up the last wicket to finish with figures of 5-54 and 10 wickets for the game, his first ten wicket haul in a match. The Bennett brothers were sent in to open the second innings and with Alex the only wicket to fall, managed to chase the 30 runs required for outright victory with Nick finishing on 16 and Darcy Morgan 6. The win lifts the team into 5th place on the ladder and within reach of the top 4, with a testing match at home next week against 2nd placed Burpengary.
Thirds put on a game of Big Bash proportions to entertain at Read Park. Play eventually got underway an hour late after a rain delay to put an extra level of tension into what was always going to be good game. After Nambour’s lightning start last week, some tight bowling by Tewantin held the visitors in check until the openers were removed before the 10th over to be 2/32 thanks to a Kieran Dunning inswinger. Nambour produced some good partnerships, but with consistent bowling they were never able to get away and wickets fell steadily. With Nambour inching towards the target, wickets were getting more crucial and a series of strategic bowling changes were made at one end while Will Gear toiled away at the other with a spell of 12 overs, 1/29 including 4 maidens. A missed stumping of Nambour’s top scorer as he approached his 50 provided a break for the visitors.
With 3 wickets in hand and only 40 runs to win, Tewantin stuck with the plan to tie up an end and attack from the other. The plan worked with the attack effectively shutting down the scoring in the last 5 overs, with Will Gear picking up the last 3 wickets to finish with 4/65. A thrilling final 4 overs cheered on by a vocal crowd that was building due to the late finish, saw momentum shift back and forth until the super sub took a spectacular one hander to trigger the celebrations with just 3 runs to spare. Wicket takers were Cody Wright, bowling his best for the year with 13 overs, 2 maidens 2/24, Kieran Dunning 2/22, Harry Wilkinson bowling with venom for 1/22, and Samadhi Baker 1/30.
Fourth grade started where they left off, chasing 180 as Nev Kratzman returned to the crease to steadily add to his total. Batting with Naveen Chand, he was eventually caught on 29, with the score on 73 and the heat starting to take its toll on fielders, batsmen and umpires alike. Naveen batted with great control before falling lbw for 24 to have Tewantin 4/95 and the game delicately balanced. Craig Moore looked settled before holing out square of the wicket to a one handed catch for 20 with the score 5/104. A swashbuckling 10 from Rupert Kain and the pressure was on at 6/115.
But it was the reliable bat of Luke Anstey, ably assisted by Shane Gessell that steered Tewantin to within reach of the win, just 5 runs short at the tea break. The total passed shortly afterwards, and Luke and Shane combined for an 80 run partnership, to wrap up first innings points at 7/195 with Shane adding 37. Enter Justin Talbot, who wasted no time in settling in before he and Anstey took to the bowling and combined for a 140 run partnership to put the game beyond doubt, with Talbot hitting 2 towering 6s and 11 x 4s. Luke Anstey on 99 looked set to bring up his century as he smashed a cover drive, only to be caught by the second one handed catch of the day to end up one run short of his ton. The final score 8 dec for 335 puts the team just behind the 2nd placed Palmwoods securing valuable bonus points with the decisive win.
