Dominant Officer steps up in to claim t20 grand final

Tewantin-Noosa became the first holders of the expanded T20 title with a choking victory over Maroochydore as the first phase of the competition closed at Read Park

Tewantin first drop Jarrod Officer hit 46 in the final of the expanded Sunshine Coast Cricket Association t20 grand final. Photo: File

Tewantin-Noosa became the first holders of the expanded T20 title with a choking victory over Maroochydore as the first phase of the competition closed at Read Park.

Four teams started the day–Maroochydore, Tewantin, Glasshouse and Caboolture, with the morning victors progressing to the season’s first final at 1:30pm.

Tewantin-Noosa and Glasshouse continued their weekend of confrontation, which had given the Rangers the nod in the one-day fixture on Saturday, and this time the home side batted first, raising 6/145. The early losses of Dan Cahill and Jeremy Schultz jolted the Glasshouse response, keeping Liam Moffett subdued as he batted through for 25, while only 35 from Steve Heise was substantial support as the Rangers fell short with 9/120 at the close.

Caboolture and Maroochydore maintained the rivalry which had produced a Super Over result to the Swans in the rounds, retaining the tension with a last over victory to Maroochydore after the Snakes slipped to a shaky 98.

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Jack Connew put Caboolture back in the frame with the top three wickets to see Maroochydore at 3/23, leaving skipper Blaine Schloss to herd the Swans to 7/91 at the start of the final over with Sam Gunson. A single put Schloss on strike, to be out attempting a second run for 37.

With bowler Glen Batticciotto holding the Snakes’ hopes, newcomer Matt Watson negotiated a no-ball plus four leg byes to level the score, then hit the boundary that sent the Swans to the final.

After lunch Tewantin skipper Jake Dennien chose to bat as the Thunder chased their first competition silverware of the century, and a dominant 46 from Jarrod Officer plus a useful 23 from the captain raised 9/126 for the Thunder, a middling tally but definitely runs on the board in a final.

Now the Tewantin attack had the chance to shine again as the ball went to Tom Freshwater and Scott Aufderheide, but 10 off the first over showed Callum Stitt’ intentions. Will Finch was run out at 20, but Stitt pressed on, though the asking rate had risen.

The captain came on with his miserly lack of pace, and changed any Swans momentum with the next three wickets, including the dangerous Stittt for 43, turning Maroochydore’s 2/72 into 5/88 after 16 overs. This left 40 runs from the final four overs from the Swans, who died trying, all out 107 when Freshwater and Dom Taylor joined Dennien in the wickets.

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