Premier Cricket Nears Break

The penultimate weekend before the Christmas break saw a slew of quality cricket played across the men’s and women’s grades in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition, as CAM VELLACOTT outlines.

In men’s First Grade, Ipswich and Valley are in a gripping contest as both teams flexed their muscle and showed why they are currently undefeated.

The Sunshine Coast again claimed a first innings result on the first day’s play, opening another grand opportunity to push for an outright result and jump as high as fifth on the ladder.

Playing at Sandgate-Redcliffe, the Sunshine Coast sent the home side into bat on a green tinged wicket. It proved a good decision, the Coast’s bowling attack taking little time to find their groove. Lleyton Chick’s (3/23) medium pace and Tom Engelbrecht’s (4/35) leg spin worked in magnificent tandem to dismantle the Sandgate batting order.

In a clinical bowling partnership, Engelbrecht and Chick reduced Sandgate to 7/101 after 33 overs. Sam Gardiner (2/17), completing his 100th game for the Scorchersm continued the momentum with Sandgate-Redcliffe all out 116 from 41.4 overs.

The Scorchers lost opener Alex Maidment (12 off 10) early, bringing skipper Sam Truloff to the crease. Truloff (95 off 83) and Josh Matthews (115 off 104) were then elegantly destructive in the run chase. Hitting 9 maximums and 28 boundaries between them, they secured the first innings win inside 19 overs.

Matthews then surged to his first century of the season before a declaration came, Sunshine Coast 3/276 (37) – 160 the lead. With 11 overs remaining, Lleyton Chick (2/6) managed to strike twice before stumps. Sandgate-Redcliffe are 2/25 at stumps. The second weekend presents a terrific opportunity for the Scorchers to win big points, surging them back towards finals contention and with great momentum at the break.

Valley and Ipswich played out an exciting day’s cricket at Ashgrove. Batting first, Ipswich fell into early trouble as Joey Pratt (3/52) dismissed both openers.

Young quick Saxon Jeh (3/45) then dismissed the next two batter, which included the dangerous Harry Wood, to have Ipswich reeling at 4/38. Valley continued to have a tight grip on the match as Benji Floros (2/37) and Zanden Jeh (1/41) chipped in to help have Ipswich 7/90.

Keeper Jake Cross (50 off 41) and in form fast bowler Jem Ryan (48* off 92) partnered at the crease, Cross the main contributor in their 66 run stand. After Cross fell, Ryan steered the innings and guided Ipswich to all out 204. With 32 overs remaining in the day, Ipswich had plenty of energy in the field and with the ball.

Peter Burge Medalist Harry Wood (2/22) led from the front, first dismissing Dylan McLachlan (17 off 36) before catching the edge of future star Hugh Weibgen for a golden duck in his comeback game after a layoff due to a back injury. Sean Lutter (2/18) then bowled a rapid spell late in the day to see Valley 5/75 at stumps.

After a slow start to the season, University of Queensland returned to form against Norths at WEP Harris Oval.

Despite losing Bryce Street (3 off 25) and Angus Lovell (17 off 36) early, Uni were able to press on and attack the Norths bowlers thanks to the Clayton brothers. Jack (113 off 82) and Max (51 off 94) took Uni from 2/54 to 3/187 in quick time, older brother Jack continuing his form with Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.

Uni’s middle and lower order then continued to chip away at building their first innings total through Harry Walker (27 off 57), Alecz Day (31 off 45), James Grady (67 off 99) and Matt Willans (69 off 83). Batting 8 and 9, Grady and Willans were able to push Uni to be all out 402. Tall left armer Marcus Bean (3/52) had the best return of Norths bowlers. While Norths have an imposing batting line up, it will be a tough ask to chase it away next weekend. 

Following on from a season high victory against Wests last round, Wynnum-Manly battled strongly against the high quality Gold Coast outfit.

The Gold Coast bowling unit was relentless, bowling a total of 28 maidens from their 91 overs. Spearheads Jackson Smith (5/41) (pictured above in T20 mode) and allrounder Caleb Ziebell (3/32) took the most rewards, however internally I’m sure they would have equally celebrated the efforts of Connor Brown (0/17). Brown sent down 16 overs (8 maidens) for 17 runs, mounting plenty of pressure on the young Wynnum side.

Wynnum batters Grayson Jones (43 off 109) and Ali Nasar Zaidi (48 off 111) threatened a big score, however Ziebell and Smith were able to breakthrough and keep the Dolphins dominance. Harmon Sandhu (38 off 43) hit a few late boundaries to have Wynnum reach 207 all out. Wynnum capped off their day nicely, Harmon Sandhu taking a wicket to have the Gold Coast 1/7 at stumps.

Redlands and Wests are in a tight tussle at Peter Burge Oval. Redlands bowlers Jack Jarvis (4/22), James Carden (3/23) and Jack Sinfield (3/32) dominated the contest for the home side. Steve McGiffin (42 off 88) and Harry McNeilly (43 off 68) batted well for Wests but were unable to convert to a big score.

On a wicket that had a healthy amount of lateral movement, Redlands bowlers were able to stay patient and consistent as they dismissed Wests for 183. Blake Edwards (3/15) bowled a scintillating spell for Wests late in the day, his mixture of raw pace and control blending to have Redlands 3/65 at stumps. If Edwards can replicate his form, Wests are well and truly in the contest next weekend. 

Toombul had a strong day’s play against Souths at Ken Mackay Oval as they look to push into the top four post Christmas.

Souths got off to a solid start through Aryan Jain (25 off 60) and Lucky Peterson (44 off 86). However, Peterson and number 3 Sam Geyer (3 off 16) both fell on the stroke of lunch to have Souths 2/78.

The second over after lunch, Jain was strangled down the leg side off Tom Balkin (5/48). Wickets then tumbled as Toombul tore through the middle order, Souths falling to 7/112. Fortunately for Souths, numbers 8, 9 and 10 batters Connor McMillan (26 off 66), James Ward (54 off 91) and Luke Wegner (25 off 39) were able to fight back as Souths posted 219.

Preston White (3/56) and Daniel Cranich (2/45) took the other half of Toombul’s wickets.

After his half century, James Ward continued his form in taking the big wickets of Toby Snell and Lachlan Hearne, both out for 0. Toombul’s Addy Grewal (27 off 49) and Preston White (29 off 42) then settled and saw Toombul to stumps, 2/63.

The Katherine Raymont Shield returned to the one-day format on Sunday, with some tight finishes and a few emphatic performances emerging from the round.

A player of the match effort from Queensland Fire allrounder Sianna Ginger swept Valley past Ipswich. Ginger top-scored with 80 as Valley piled on 4-301 against the youth Hornets line-up, and then she ripped into the batting line-up to finish with 4-10 to complete a strong victory.

Gold Coast fought hard against University of Queensland, but the Students chased down the Dolphins total of 153 for the loss of four wickets, with Taylor Stumer top-scoring with 60.

Sunshine Coast charged to an important win over Western Suburbs thanks to a competitive batting effort. Wests total of 147 was not enough, as the Scorchers chase was led by top efforts from Ruth Johnson (37no to go with her bowling of 3-21) and Mikayla Wrigley (40no).

There were two strong all-round performances by promising spinners in the Sandgate-Redcliffe and Wynnum-Manly match.

Queensland Under-19 spinner Darcey Johnson hit 42 for the Gators, while leg-spinner Amreen Kahlon picked up 3-51 for the Sea Eagles. 

With roles reversed, Johnson took 2-37 and Kahlon top-scored with 40.

The Gators were victorious in the end, winning by 38 runs.

The KFC Queensland Premier Cricket TOTW - 9th & 10th December

Josh Matthews, 115 (104), Sunshine Coast, Mens 1st Grade
Sam Truloff, 95 (83), Sunshine Coast, Mens 1st Grade
Jack Clayton, 113 (82), University of Queensland, Mens 1st Grade
Sianna Ginger 4/10 (4.3) & 80 (67), Valley, Womens 1st  Grade
Taylor Stumer, 60 (86), Sandgate- Redcliffe, Womens 1st Grade
Darcey Johnson, 2/37 (10.0) & 42 (68), Sandgate-Redcliffe, Womens 1st  Grade
Ruth Johnston, 3/21 (10.0) & 37* (35), Sunshine Coast, Womens 1st Grade
Amreen Kahlon, 3/51 (10.0) & 40 (71), Wynnum-Manly, Womens 1st Grade
Jack Jarvis, 4/22 (11.0), Redlands, Mens 1st Grade
Thomas Balkin, 5/48, (19.0), Toombul, Mens 1st Grade
Jackson Smith 5/41, (15.2), Gold Coast, Mens 1st Grade

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 most exciting pace bowlers and best fielders in the competition are available here (note subscription required):

https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/the-express-fastbowlers-and-best-fielders-of-the-taverners-premier-women-and-mens-grade-cricket-competitions-revealed-here/news-story/ec978421ff3b0eba36d0ba7356fc9c92

Principal Partner

Major Partner

Official Partners

Charity Partners

Media Partners

Catering Partners