Awesome all-rounder's feats to be celebrated

ONE of the Ipswich competition's best allrounders will enter elite territory today.

Laidley's master allrounder Mick Sippel. Picture: Nev Madsen

ONE of the Ipswich competition's best allrounders will enter elite territory today.

Michael Sippel will bring up his 200th game for Laidley District.

Sippel will be the sixth player to represent his club 200 times or more, joining David Richardson (Brothers - 211), Grant Stallard (Northsiders - 218), Vice O'Sullivan (Railways - 245), Jason Cubit (Laidley - 205) and me (Centrals -201).

Sippel has basically done it all, representing Queensland and Queensland Country as well as being the all-time leading run getter in Ipswich cricket (9344 runs at 54.64).

His left-hand fast bowling was fearsome in the 2000s. He's risen to be eighth of the wicket-takers list (466 at 14.46).

He has 12 premierships out of 20 grand finals. He was the backbone of the Laidley District Cricket Club during its near 15 years of dominance of Ipswich.

Although probably moving towards the winter years of his cricketing career, Sippel still gives a lot back to his club to this day. He's either passing on his experiences to the younger charges, curating at Bichel Oval, or generally assisting the Laidley club run so smoothly.

Although he won't be at home at Bichel Oval today, he will still be surrounded by so many close family and cricketers who have played with him for so long. They include brother Gerard, a Queensland Country batsman in his own right, who has been there a lot of the time (97 games).

Michael's 14-year-old nephew Tom (son of Gerard) will represent the new blood Laid-ley have been starting to introduce to first grade comp this season.

One of the intriguing battles of today's match will be the battle between 14 year-old spinners. Legspinner Tom goes up against offspinner Paul Drahiem of Souths, from Goondiwindi.

This encounter will provide an opportunity for many of the Bluedogs batsmen to have a hit ahead of the probable semi-final next month.

The other match that will have a big bearing on the final positions is in Pool B between South East Redbacks and second placed Brothers.

Northern Brothers Diggers are just one point behind and have Highfields to finish so Diggers could have a big win here.

For Brothers, it will be the proverbial banana peel of a match.

A big win is expected but they must be mindful of a result up on the range as well.

Wests face Lockyer, who again were very competitive against Toowoomba's premiers Diggers last week after playing Ipswich champions the week before.

Regan Hoger has been one of the finds of the competition with 127 runs at 63.5 and four wickets at 16.

A Wests loss will open top spot up to Brothers and could potentially knock them out too.

Centrals are the only team assured a semi-final spot out of both pools. They have University at Limestone Park.

Northsiders, who for the second time this season dominated Centrals for the vast majority of the game except for the final result, have competition underperformers Mets at Sternberg Oval.

Second grade duel

PROBABLY the match of the weekend in Ipswich is the second grade encounter between the top two teams, Thunder and Fassifern at Tivoli.

Both sides have been in great form and the winner will have the valuable bragging rights and top spot especially if there is rain in the one-day final.

The Fassifern team is brimming with excellence with Webb Shield's Charlie Moncada, immovable openers Jackson McQuilty and Joel Gillett, tireless allrounder Matt Morrison and batsmen Grant Harvey and Jarrod Noe.

Thunder is a youthful team on the up with youngsters Josh Wendt, Quinn Truloff and Oliver Schmidt all capable bats-men.

Allrounder Tobias Nugter has led them well and with veterans Pete Whelan and Aaron Nugter knocking about, Thunder will be confident of defending their top billing.

With Laidley circling, Fassifern will especially be looking to avoid defeat.

The semi format is top 1v4 and 2v3 next Sunday before a final on Sunday, November 18.

Thunder girls win

AN update to Thunder girls story from last week - they won their first game. Thunder (7/111) beat Fassifern (8/104) with a seven-run victory.

Jordan Alegre, Lachlan Vellacott and Matt Andrews all made the South Queensland under-21 team after the conclusion of the O'Dea Shield.

They will travel to Buderim on the Sunshine Coast to compete in the Schaeffer Shield, the South Queensland tournament for men, in a fortnight.

Hornets challenge

THE Ipswich Logan Hornets have a pivotal match at Baxter Oval when they take on South Brisbane today and tomorrow.

Coach Aaron Moore and captain Anthony Wilson will be disappointed with the outcome at University despite the great batting performance a fortnight ago.

Current Hornets player of the year Nick De Giusti's absence was telling as Jack Wood toiled manfully but could only jag the solitary wicket.

Sean Lutter (10 wickets at 25.8) was the only other wicket-taker.

Hornets defeated Souths in the one-day encounter at Yeronga a month or so ago. Hornets have slipped to 10th while Souths are in 11th so both teams will be desperate for the win over the weekend.

The women's top team will play fourth-placed Gold Coast at Walker Oval tomorrow.