Two-day cricket is well underway for the men and T20 games are on offer for the women as the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competitions clubs continue to deliver opportunities for players to reach their goals. CAM VELLACOTT and LAURA SCHEIWE highlight the performances that count from last weekend.
Clubs Delivering Opportunities
In the Katherine Raymont Shield, Sunday consisted of just the one T20 for each side. But new standards were reached with the biggest score so far this season and some upset losses wrapped up a fun-filled weekend.
A big win for the Gold Coast against Wynnum-Manly, just their second of the season has pushed the Dolphins into 5th on the T20 table. A new look batting line up saw opener Liv Winter strike a quickfire 19 to get the coast off to a strong start. The stand out for the day was certainly Matiese Wadwell, whacking 34* off just 24 deliveries at a strike rate of 141 on her return to the first grade side. Felicity Koch's run a ball 16 was also crucial in the back end of the innings guiding the Dolphins to 8-124. As usual, Wynnum captain Clodagh Ryall was very economical taking 1/19 off her 4 overs accompanied by Amreen Kahlon (2/16).
Getting Wynnum off to an exceptionally strong start, Allegra Pollack came out swinging from ball one with her knock of 48 off 38 deliveries. The rest of the team struggled to stick with her as the required run rate just got away from them. A superb spell from Felicity Koch taking 1/7 off 3 and going at an economy of just 2.33, not bowling a single loose ball across the entire day. The Queensland Country representative was certainly the difference between the two teams.
A change of form for the full strength Sunshine Coast with a win against Wests. After being sent into bat first, the scorchers fought to a small total of 88 runs. Their english overseas professional, Kalea Moore top scored with 21 as every run was crucial within this match. Number 9 batter, Mahli Rae put on an important back end performance of 18 striking at 150. Coming back from the Spring Challenge, Lily Bassingthwaighte showed her skill taking 3/9 off her 4 overs supported by Lilli Hamilton (2/23) at the other end.
Scraping through just 18 overs with the bat at a run rate of 3, Western Suburbs struggled to get going from the start against a strong spin attack. Ruby Orchard once again opening the bowling and being awfully difficult to score off, taking 2/5 off 3 overs. Tarah Staines did lots of damage with her off spin as well snagging 3/8 off 4. The Sunshine Coast were also strong in the field, in particular Brooke Kington with 3 catches.
Another large score for the undefeated Sandgate-Redcliffe against Valleys DCC. Tess Cooper (pictured above in the KFC T20 Max) played an aggressive role as she quickly found her groove against the out of form team. The former Queensland Fire player hit a whopping 114* off just 64 deliveries. Cooper was awarded Queensland Premier Crickets "Power Player of the Round" for this outstanding knock. The mammoth total was always going to be very difficult to chase as Valleys were bowled out for just 110.
The University of Queensland had another bye sitting at third on the table.
In the longer format, the second round of the Men’s Two Day Competition saw some of the best individual performances of the season so far in what was a thoroughly competitive weekend of cricket.
Current Australian U19 representative Steve Hogan (72 off 163) impressed for Sandgate-Redcliffe against Ipswich. Still only in Year 11, Hogan led the Gators past the 200 run mark and into a strong position. However, an almighty collapse of 7/18 saw Sandgate all out 224 as Bryn Llewellyn (4/28) and Sean Lutter (3/21) tore through the lower order. Ipswich are 2/93 at stumps.
After the Dolphins openers Ashton Gumm (33 off 30) and Lachlan Crump (59 off 139) pushed their side to a solid start, the match quickly turned in the bowlers favour. Souths Zanden Jeh (4/55) took turn from the green wicket, as did leg spinner Connor McMillan (3/24).
The Dolphins scrapped their way to 191 all out. Strong seamer Kane Hurley (5/15 off 13) was then simply unplayable for the Dolphins, dismissing four of South’s top five batters. Souths were unable to stop the momentum, limping to 9/65 at stumps. To put the bowlers dominance into context, the match saw a combined score of 18/193 after the first hour of play.
Western Suburbs continued the strong form which saw them reach the One Day Grand Final. Isiah Snell (83 off 111) played a captivating innings, before youngwe brother Toby took his dismissal behind the stumps for Toombul. Pranav Susarla (48 off 56), Tom Campbell (48 off 95) and Sam Truloff (63 off 103) helped see Wests 7/325 at stumps. Queensland quick Connor Sully (3/63) had his best return with the ball so far this season.
University of Queensland welcomed Redlands to WEP Harris Oval and enjoyed an evenly poised day. Despite seven Redlands batters passing 20, only Carter Pearson (55 off 99) was able to pass 50 with Sam Heazlett (41 off 80) next best. Uni’s Don Whyte (3/36) and Bryce Street (3/24) were able to keep their side in the hunt, while Will Sanders chipped in with a wicket and a run out. Redlands were dismissed for 253 and Uni are 0/32 at stumps.
Young Wynnum-Manly keeper Reuben Burger (69 off 108) continued his strong season against a strong Valley outfit. Going in at number four, Burger showed great maturity to bat through a collapse as they quickly went from 2/132 to 5/145. The eight batter dismissed, Burger’s innings helped Wynnum finish the day 9/259. Valley players Benji Floros (4/51) and Tighe Morris (3/64) led the bowlers.
After both winning outright last week, Norths and the Sunshine Coast faced off at Ian Healy Oval. Nick Fletcher (2/43) took the big scalp of Joe Burns (5 off 19) early, before Chad Soper (2/46) joined in to have Norths reeling at 3/10.
Norths batters Scott Palombo (63 off 126), Blake Maher (39 off 71) and Connor Carroll (46 off 82) were able to get their side back into the match, however the confident Scorchers side continued to take wickets when it mattered most. Tom Engelbrecht (2/61) and Nick Selman (2/24) toiled hard to eventually have Norths all out 222. In reply, the Scorchers are 1/32.
The Taverners Queensland Under-17 competition is nearing its finals phase and The Courier-Mail has provided another indepth look at the action involving some of the competition's most exciting young players, as well as their weekly wrap-up of all the Premier Cricket action, including action from Second Grade through to Sixth Grade.