The KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition continues to deliver high-quality playing experiences for men and women, with the respective First Grade competitions producing a string of eye-catching results. CAM VELLACOTT takes a look at last weekend's competition, while The Courier-Mail has published a series of in-depth Premier Cricket articles worth checking out.
Premier Clubs Shine
With teams settling into the groove of two day cricket, all results are still on the table in more matches thanks to another brilliant weekend of cricket. There were three centuries scored across Saturday’s play in First Grade, while the bowlers toiled hard to keep their sides in the hunt.
In the Battle of the Coasts, the Dolphins batted first and were off to a strong start against the Scorchers. Openers Caleb Ziebell (46 off 88) and Ashton Gumm (68 off 91) saw their side past the 100 run mark, before both falling to the leg spin of Sam Gardiner (3/95). Coming off the back of an unbeaten century last weekend, superstar Ben McDermott could not repeat the same feat. First ball of his innings, McDermott received a dirty full toss from Gardiner which he tried to dispatch, only to chunk skyward to a fielder. It’s a good lesson for younger players – even the best fail sometimes.
Despite some of the Gold Coast’s big name players, the rest of the day belonged to number 3 Callum Taylor (142* off 182), pictured above in action. After a relatively lean summer so far, Taylor, who splits time between Australia and England where he plays irst class cricket, was superb in his unbeaten century. Matt Kuhnemann also chipped in with 57 (99), the Gold Coast all out 402 at stumps. Chad Soper (3/65) led the Scorchers bowlers.
Souths had Ipswich in big trouble early at Ivor Marsden Oval, their young bowlers yielding their best return this season. Fast bowling trio James Ward (3/35), Luke Wegner (4/71) and Ed Leslie (3/30) stood tall for the Magpies and were particularly impressive early to have Ipswich 5/67. It was only Ipswich young gun Noah Emmerson (125 off 137) who halted the momentum. Hitting four maximums in his maiden first grade century, the former Queensland U19 player Emmerson showed his typical hard hitting ability alongside a newfound maturity to lead his sides batting. Harry Austin (38 off 50) and keeper Matt Andrews (58 off 75) partnered with Emmerson to see Ipswich reach 278 all out. Through two excellent catches, Ipswich managed to dismiss both Souths openers in the 22 overs bowled before stumps, Souths 2/57.
It was a seesawing affair at Ken Mackay Oval between Toombul and Wynnum-Manly. After losing a wicket on the fourth ball of the match, Toombul batters Addy Grewal (40 off 95) and Lachlan Hearne (58 off 41) then settled into quickfire partnership of 90. Wynnum opening bowlers Tom Eyley (4/90) and Queensland quick Liam Guthrie (4/65) then took three quick wickets to have Toombul 4/128. Sam Wilson (91 off 147) and Jack Webster (103 off 120) then dominated the middle overs for Toombul, taking them all the way to 4/310. Wynnum bounced back to dismiss Toombul all out 340. With 11 overs remaining in the day, Toombul bowlers Tom Balkin (3/15) and Jeremy White (1/15) were relentless with the new ball. Bowling with serious pace, Balkin had his side in rapturous applause of his performance. Wynnum are 4/34 at stumps.
Coming off the back of their grand final replay last week, Redlands faced their semi final opponents in Norths at Ian Healy Oval. It was a match slow to start thanks to a stray ball in the warm up wedging itself under the roller. A nice crater was then created on a good length but a line most openers should be leaving, the groundsmen quick to repair the wicket and the match begin.
In a tight affair, both sides were willing to play the patience game early. After Sam Heazlett (58 off 106) and Liam Smith (37 off 87) were watchful early, a sharp catch dismissed Smith before Sam Neale (2/66) took the two key wickets of James Bazley (1 off 7) and Leigh Drennan (1 off 15) in quick succession. Heazlett was then dismissed trying to take down left arm orthodox Mitch Doolan (2/52), Redlands reeling at 5/137. Fortunately for the Tigers, Brian Sanders (76 off 111) steadied before launching later in his innings. He and Bailey Stewart (32 off 49) saw Redlands reach 276. In reply, Stewart (1/24) seized the big wicket of Josh Brown (18 off 17). Norths are 1/58 at stumps.
Sandgate-Redcliffe travelled to University of Queensland in search of their first two day win of the season. Batting first, the Gators openers Dan Season and Dan Fielding started positively before both falling to UQs firebrand Callum Henderson (3/43). Steven Cawood (64 off 156) then anchored the Gators batting to see them reach 208. Tyler Skelson (38 off 71) dug in before coming unstuck by a brilliant leg side stumping from Harry Walker. Sandgate-Redcliffe were able to take the two prized wickets of Angus Lovell (4 off 12) and Bryce Street (21 off 35) before stumps, Uni 2/79 heading into this weekend.
Batting first at Jack McLaughlin Oval, Wests were in search of a big score against a red hot Valley side. However, Valley bowler Joey Pratt (2/32) made early inroads to help have Wests 3/70. Wests batters continued to get starts, though only captain Steve McGiffin (73 off 132) and Jared Sippel (52 off 87) able to pass 50. Valleys bowlers Benji Floros (3/55), Callum Vidler (3/71) and Cam Boyce (2/41) were able to continue to take wickets at regular intervals. Wests were dismissed for 256 off 82.3 overs, leaving 10 to see off for the Valley openers. McLachlan (24*) and Neill (17*) were able to see through to stumps, Valley 0/41 in their run chase.
The Katherine Raymont Shield saw more see-sawing results in the T20 competition, with some close results and improving individual and team performances.
Former Kath Smith Medallist Ruby Strange was a stand-out for Western Suburbs once again, this time hitting a stirring 86 from 55 balls, while Brisbane Heat reserve batter Ellie Johnston was not far behind for Wynnum-Manly with an eye-catchinbg 82 from 50 balls.
The Gold Coast Dolphins may have battled on occasions this summer, but Olivia Winter (3-19) has been a consistent performer throughout. Likewise Queensland Under-19 women's spinner Darcey Johnson's haul of 3-16 for Sandgate-Redcliffe demonstrates her growing presence in the game, while Jessica Daldry (3-16) continues to deliver for University of Queensland.
KFC Queensland Premier Cricket TOTW 12/13 Nov
- Ruby Strange 86 (55) Western Suburbs
- Ellie Johnston 82 (50) Wynnum-Manly
- Callum Taylor 142* (182) Gold Coast
- Jack Clayton 4/60 (23.1), 38* (50) University of Queensland
- Noah Emmerson 125 (137) Ipswich
- Jack Webster 103 (120) Toombul
- Brian Sanders 76* (111) Redlands
- Olivia Winter 3/19 (4) Gold Coast
- Luke Wegner 4/71 (15.3) South Brisbane
- Jessica Daldy 3/16 (4) (University of Queensland)
- Darcey Johnson 3/7 (4) Sandgate-Redcliffe
Each week The Courier-Mail covers the Premier Cricket round with 3-2-1 points from matches. Their latest reports, including an in-depth appraisal of the Katherine Raymont Shield are available here (note subscription required):
https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/club-cricket-321-for-taverners-premier-women-premier-men-action/news-story/8be7cce52e952149c6e00000c68b1713
https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/raymont-shield-t20-team-of-the-season-revealed-plus-the-stats-sheet-queens-and-kings-of-queensland-premier-cricket/news-story/5d31a569d2bcedfff5dd7050e2117781
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/queenslands-under-19-cricket-teams-male-and-female/news-story/830c15bda13ded65ed5ebacc06f0aca9
https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/the-top-run-scorers-and-wickettakers-of-the-taverners-queensland-boys-under-17-competition-ranked/news-story/7d665f63b90a890e95c6efb0590feffe