Thunder alliance rumbles along

GIVEN the geography, a merger between the Mt Crosby and Marburg clubs may seem unlikely.

CRACKING SHOT: Mitchell Raine is one of the players the Mt Crosby-Marburg Thunder will base its bid to be included in the 2013-14 Ipswich Logan Premier League around. Picture: Rob Williams

GIVEN the geography, a merger between the Mt Crosby and Marburg clubs may seem unlikely.

But cricket is a funny game, both administratively and on the oval.

So it should be no surprise the alliance between the Mt Crosby and Marburg cricket clubs, known as the Thunder, is thriving and eyeing a spot in next year's Ipswich Logan Premier League.

The two clubs are loathe to call the agreement a merger because they retain their own committees, with Rino Nugter the Marburg president and Kel Jaenke the Mt Crosby president.

Their sons Tobias and Toby are close friends, which has helped the smooth alliance.

"We've had no dramas at all," Nugter said.

The Thunder are second on the club championships (which doesn't take Premier League into account) behind Eastern Taipans.

Training is split between the two home grounds.

The Thunder's top team will join the existing seven Premier League clubs in the Baxter Twenty20 Big Bash on December 16.

It gives Nugter confidence the Thunder will be next cab off the rank into the Premier League and he sees no reason it can't come next summer.

"I'd like to think our chances are pretty good," Nugter said. "We were pretty close to getting a side in this year but it was too late.

"I don't think they wanted a bye.

"Obviously we've got to pick up a few players.

"But we've got a lot of young fellas coming through."

They include Plunket Cup duo Matthew Elkins and Mitchell Raine.

Nugter believes Swifts have proved the step up can be done successfully but also has experience from his previous stint as Marburg club president.

"At Marburg we lost a lot of players and were easybeats," he said.

"It took a few years but by the time I left, we were in the top two or three teams."

Facilities are not an issue with both clubs boasting their own top-class facilities.

Adding to Nugter's confidence that the Thunder will be granted promotion is the recommitment of club coach and former Queensland wicket-keeper and coach John Bell.

The plan is not likely to meet any resistance from the Ipswich and West Moreton Cricket Association, should the Thunder demonstrate the playing strength to make the leap.

"It'd be wonderful if they could be at that level and fill the eighth spot," IWMCA president Peter Leschke said.

"They will have my support if they demonstrate they are up to the required level in terms of playing personnel."