Gympie Gold play Caboolture Snakes in Sunshine Coast Cricket Association semi-final

There will be a handful of players who will make a critical difference this weekend when Gympie Gold front the Caboolture Snakes in their bid for a place in the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association grand final.

08/03/2023 - Jared Sippel will be key for the Gympie Gold against Caboolture. Picture: Zahner Photography

Gympie Gold captain Trent Riddell is hoping that he and his fellow top-order batters rediscover their form when they bid for a place in the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association grand final this weekend.

The Gold will travel down to Grant Road, Caboolture, to take on the minor premiers in the semi-final on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11 just a week after getting soundly beaten by their opponents in the final round of home and away fixtures.

Gympie was bowled out twice for 104 and 129, with Caboolture posting a first innings total of 5-329 in an emphatic win.

Former Queensland batter Glen Batticciotto was the star performer, racking up 153 in the Snakes’ victory.

Riddell was hoping his team could turn the result around this weekend but said he and the likes of vice-captain Jared Sippel, needed to stand up.

08/03/2023 - Gympie Gold captain Trent Riddell says he needs to stand up in the semi-final against Caboolture. Picture: Zahner photography

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Riddell was in great touch earlier in the campaign, collecting 336 runs in six innings in late October and early November 2022, including a top score of 123.

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But his form, along with some others in the Gold’s top six, has dropped off and he was keen to turn things around.

"The top order, me included, needs to stand up and score a few more runs for starters," Riddell said when asked what his team needs to do to beat Caboolture.

"Our batting line-up will be pretty much the same as it was last weekend.

"We have a competitive top order. But it’s just a matter of getting through that first hour or so.

"A few of us have been getting out early, so we just need to take our time and settle in.

08/03/2023 - Caboolture star batter Glen Batticciotto is the main danger for Gympie Gold. Picture: Michael Cee photography

"If we do, it’s a good field and wicket at Caboolture, so there will be no excuses."

Riddell said Batticciotto would be the man to watch in the semi, while left-arm orthodox spinner Preston White could cause a few problems if his team allowed him to dominate.

"He (White) pretty much bowls from one end all day," Riddell said.

"So we really need to be smart how we play him and try not throw wickets away."

Riddell said Gympie would have a stronger bowling attack this weekend after some players missed out last week through work and illness.

The skipper picked out quicks Tom White, who has 36 wickets this season, and Michael Wostear as the Gold’s best bowling options, with Batticciotto the obvious target.

"We need to get him early," Riddell said.

"Tom has been our main threat this season, but Michael can bowl thunderbolts too, so hopefully he can let a few go and rattle their top order for us."

Riddell said he was more than happy with how the season had panned out for Gympie Gold, especially as the team lost a few players.

Key performers Steve and Josh Brady moved away, and Sippel, who was returning from Brisbane A Grade, injured his knee before the season started.

08/03/2023 - Jared Sippel will be key for the Gympie Gold against Caboolture. Picture: Zahner Photography

The captain said there were no expectations going into the weekend.

"I’m stoked with how we’’ve finished," Riddell said.

"Obviously we’d love to win and go through the final.

"I think a lot of people in and around our club didn’t really think with the team that we had we could go as well as we’ve gone this year.

"I’d much rather be sitting in our position after getting towelled up on the weekend.

"If we had beaten them last weekend, there could have been a lot of pressure on us to do it again.

"But as we got beaten badly, we can probably go out with a bit more freedom."

While he can control how his team plays, one thing that Riddell has no say with is the Sunshine Coast weather, with heavy rain expected to fall on Saturday and Sunday.

If rain forces a postponement, then Caboolture will advance to the decider to play either Maroochydore or Tewantin/Noosa.

"At the moment the weather forecast is not in our favour, that’s for sure," Riddell said.

"If it rains and we are washed out, our season is over because we’re sitting lower on the ladder."