Club cricket’s best players across six grade finals; Women’s Team of the Season
Who were the finest cricketers in six men’s grade grand finals? Here’s our 3-2-1 best players along with the First and Second Grade Women’s Team of the Season.
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The senior men’s grade cricket grade finals are in full swing, with days three and four this weekend to decide premiers across the six competitions.
Here we present our 3-2-1 best and fairest across the opening two days of the finals.
GPS FIRST XI CRICKET TEAM OF THE SEASON
AIC FIRST XI CRICKET TEAM OF THE SEASON
We also name our Raymont Shield women’s Team of the Season, and acknowledge five of the best players from the second grade as well.
KFC Premier - SCI-FLEET MOTORS FIRST GRADE
UNIVERSITY v REDLANDS
3. JACK SINFIELD (REDLANDS)
On the same weekend his old school, The Southport School, were claiming yet another GPS First XI premiership, off spinner Sinfield was unravelling the high class University batting line-up - and then scoring runs. He dismissed battle battleships Bryce Street, Jack Clayton and Max Clayton on his way to taking a remarkable 7-83. Uni were dismissed for 210, with Sinfield changing the game after his opponents were 2-98. Sinfield then scored 43 not out.
2. JAMES BAZLEY (REDLANDS)
Bazley combined with bowling hero Jack Sinfield (43 not out) to bat Redlands into the lead in a gripping final. Bazley went whoosh, bang and crash to score 91 from 100 balls to send his side to 9-319. He was also a support bowler for Sinfield (13 overs, 0-30) in the field, and was his batting partner again during a crucial partnership. Redlands’ batting was a team effort, with Peirson and Smith also snaring half centuries.
RELATED LINKS
GPS FIRST XI CRICKET’S GRAND FINAL DAY, ROUND 8
CLUB CRICKET’S BEST 3-2-1 PLAYERS ACROSS EIGHT FINALS
CLUB CRICKET UNDER 19 GRAND FINALS
1. HARRY WALKER (SUNSHINE COAST)
University’s season flashed before the eyes of the players when they slid from 2-98 to 7-127. Enter Harry Walker. Walker mounted a rescue operation with BBC old boy Matt Willians (32, 71 balls), and then pushed on with handy runs in partnership with Will Crook. The result was a 200-plus scoreline (228) in a grand final - not a bad result from 7-127.
ALLAN PETTIGREW SHIELD - second grade
SOUTH BRISBANE v GOLD COAST
3. CLAYE BEAMS (SOUTH BRISBANE)
Beams’ season high century has put South Brisbane in the driver’s seat to win the premiership. A T20 First grade player, his blistering second innings 104 (107 balls) has elevated Souths to 5-186, a high water mark given the side had a first innings lead. He hit 13 fours and four sixes to change the game with Lucky Petersen, adding 186 after Souths were 2-0 in its second innings. Beams, the ex Brisbane Lions and Collingwood AFL player, was a 2022 Qld Country representative. He also scored 29 in the first innings.
RELATED LINKS
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE CLAIMS AIC FIRST XI PREMIERSHIP
15 UNSUNG HEROES OF THE AIC FIRST XI
2. TOBY SAWYER-BROWN (SOUTHS)
Brown (3-38) saddled up to bowl a marathon 26 overs in demanding heat in defence of his team’s first innings. He bowled 11 maidens, and together with Matthew Casey (3-18) was responsible for building pressure and inflicting mortal blows despite Dolphins batting ace Ashton Gumm threatening early with a defiant 24. Brown also scored a handy 18 runs at the end of the Souths innings when runs were gold.
1. BRENDAN McNAE (SOUTHS)
The wily Brendan McNae (1-13) was also tight with the new ball but it was his batting which put him into our 3-2-1 this week. In a low scoring final, McNae’s late order rally (44, 39 balls) took his team from 7-161 to 234. It was just what the doctor ordered, and his innings altered the momentum of the day after Gold Coast found themselves on top.
NORM MCMAHON KFC’S THIRD GRADE, University v Norths
3. BANJO WARING (UNIVERSITY)
Waring dropped anchor with an old-fashioned, stonewalling effort that has given University the edge in its third grade decider. Waring batted for 153 balls as Uni wore out the opposition attack to make 249 overs. He was the glue of the batting innings. Norths bowlers Adrianne Morrison (3-74), Hitchman, Desai and Deacon challenged hard, but he was up to the task.
RELATED LINKS
25 UNSUNG HEROES OF THE GPS FIRST XI
90 IMAGE PICTURE GALLERY OF THE GPS FIRST XI SEASON
2. MICHAEL LLOYD (NORTHS)
Norths opener Lloyd has put Norths in a competitive position of 3-125 chasing University (249), although obviously things will have to happen in a hurry on days 3-4 to get a result. Lloyd sped the match up with a fluent 77 from 99 balls, stroking six fours and lofting four sixes. This was despite tight bowling from Norths’ pair Elliott Beath (2-15) and James Guy (1-18).
1. HEALY WILLIAMS (UNIVERSITY)
University were at the crossroads when mainstay Banjo Waring was dismissed at 5-145 but Williams ensured Waring’s good work was rewarded. He dug in to score 57 (112 balls), and was last dismissed after luring his fellow tailenders along with him for the ride.
BOB SPENCE FOURTH GRADE, Norths v Valley
3. TYRAN EGGMOLESSE (NORTHS)
Eggmolesse produced a gallant 47 not out from 173 balls to edge his team into the driver’s seat entering day three. Norths were 6-68 but his long, grinding innings has halted Valley’s march and has given his side a 34 run lead. He will bat on this Saturday, where he hopes to stretch his team’s advantage well beyond 50 runs.
2. SAXON JEH (VALLEY)
Jeh’s prolific summer of dreams continued when he claimed four wickets, taking his season’s total to 65 scalps. The 17-year-old fast bowler toiled through 30 overs for rich rewards, and combined with Chris Raisbeck (3-28) to keep things tight and take wickets, restricting Norths to 8-146. There were no balls, no wides and on a hot day that was a great performance for a young bloke. Jeh also top scored with 27.
1. MITCHELL WITT (NORTHS)
Witt delivered on grand final day with runs and wickets for Norths. When Valley batted he claimed 3-10 from 10 overs, but also added an unbeaten 36 with Eggmolesse. Witt made 19 in well over an hour.
FIFTH GRADE, Norths v Souths
3. CHRIS MAHER NORTHS)
In a low scoring final Maher batted time to amass 57 from 209 balls to blunt the Souths attack. He added runs with Vellacott (31) and Joseph Campbell (37) before being dismissed at 130. His innings has given Norths the foundations to secure the premiership.
2. MYLES DENNIS (SOUTHS)
Dennis put in a huge bowling performance, rising to the occasion on grand final day. The skipper could not get the ball off him, with Dennis bowling a marathon 45 overs for a return of 4-52. He would have slept well on Sunday night. He also bowled 19 maidens in a lion-hearted performance. Liam Brady’s bravery should also be acknowledged - 59-34-47-2.
1. JOSEPH CAMPBELL (NORTHS)
With Norths batting mainstay Chris Maher, Campbell added an important 88 to ensure there were few early inroads for the Souths attack. He faced a gruelling 159 balls, taking the shine off the ball, fatiguing the bowlers and tiring out the field.
SIXTH GRADE, Valley v Redlands
3. FERGUS REES (VALLEY)
I reckon Fergus Rees would still be batting now if he had his way. Displaying great powers of concentration, Rees faced 304 balls in making 73 not out. If Valley win the final, it will be because of his tremendous effort that raised his side to 182.
2 and 1. HARRY LEGG, JOSHUA WILLIAMS (Redlands)
Legg and Joshua Williams were the bowling heroes as the pair did everything possible to keep their side in the premiership race. Legg bowled a marathon 37-18-46-4, and with support from (Williams 25-8-58-2) dismissed Valley for 182. It was a big, big effort in the heat from both men. Ky Ahpene (2-29, 17 overs) also held up his end of the bargain.
WOMEN’S FIRST GRADE TEAM OF THE SEASON
GEORGIE BOYCE (SUNSHINE COAST)
The scorer of over 1000 runs this season, Boyce opened the batting for the premiership winning Dolphins side.
It was not just her batting numbers, but the efficiency at which she scored her runs.
She struck it at a run-a-ball, averaging 56, with three centuries and six fifties in a summer of sheer consistency.
It is safe to say the English import who came down under to improve her game, did so emphatically.
TESS COOPER (SANDGATE-REDCLIFFE)
Tess Cooper earned the opening duties alongside Boyce for her success against the new ball.
Cooper’s 952 runs at 56 puts her tied first on the season averages list for the season.
This would be some opening pairing.
ANLO VAN DEVENTER (UQ)
Deventer was a sensation with the bat, always scoring at a run-a-ball or better which put opposition attacks under immense pressure.
She made runs while under pressure and as a front runner setting the pace. Deventer earned the hotly contested No. 3 spot with Tara Wheeler (Gold Coast), Emma Jackson (UQ) and Isabel Goffage (Wests) all in the frame for a spot in the batting line-up.
But, competition is fierce with the likes of Boyce, Cooper, Holmes, Wrigley and Hinkler all possessing the ability to bat anywhere in the top six.
From New Zealand where she played List A level, Deventer worked as the physio for the Heat and Fire two seasons ago but was keen to play cricket still.
There’s no doubt UQ were very pleased she did.
MIKAYLA WRIGLEY (SUNSHINE COAST)
Wrigley was magnificent with the bat, building pressure for rival bowlers to keep it tight.
She was Ms Reliable with the willow, the perfect No. 4 for this team scoring 854 at 47.44 this season.
Although she didn’t produce a century, she did score nine fifties at a strike rate of 100.
It’s worth noting she spent 1105 minutes at the batting crease, so if ever the openers were dismissed early, there was no panic because it just gave Wrigley more time at the crease.
And who better than Wrigley to be our team’s wicketkeeper?
The Queensland Under-19 keeper this season is the perfect candidate, a contender with Caitlin Mair (Sandgate-Redcliffe) to be the Fire back-up to Georgia Redmayne down the track.
KIRA HOLMES (VALLEY)
Even though Holmes opened the batting for Valleys, we have put her at second drop because she is a must in this team. And with her strike rate of 100, she packs a punch in the middle order.
Her high score was 139 but she also hit 132 in a game against Wests.
Holmes was a class act in the first grade competition, averaging 35 in 26 innings — the third most knocks across the board.
MIKAYLA HINKLEY (VALLEY)
The Valleys opener was on the crest of a wave the entire season, a batting mainstay with a terrific average of 51.85.
Hinkley was an easy pick, with her strike rate of 111.4 ensuring her spot at No.6.
If Boyce and Cooper weren’t able to open the batting then the duties would be shifted to the safe hands of Hinkley and Holmes.
SIANNA GINGER (VALLEY)
After taking an impressive 36 wickets at just 9.72, Ginger’s season best 4/4 ensured her place as the all-rounder in the side.
Ginger went at 3.5 an over and had one of the competition’s lowest strike rates of 16.69.
Aside from her strike bowling, she also aided Valley’s campaign with the bat, scoring 462 uns at 38.5.
RUBY ORCHARD (SUNSHINE COAST)
Orchard spearheaded the champion Sunshine Coast Dolphins side which took out this year’s Katherine Raymont Shield, the fast bowler a headline grabber after snaring a competition best 38 wickets at 13.47.
One of the competition’s best bowlers, Orchard’s control caused endless trouble for her rivals across the long summer.
She would always strike with the new ball and no batters got on top of her this season (2.9 economy) as she built pressure for her bowling teammates.
AMREEN KAHLON (WYNNUM MANLY)
Kahlon makes our team as a masterful leg spin bowler. Twice Kahlon led the charge for her team with stunning five wicket hauls.
That is the equal of a batsmen making two hundreds.
Around those masterful performances, she chipped away to finish with 36 wickets at 18.08.
Yes she leaked a few runs but being the competition’s second leading wicket taker has to mean something.
CHRISTINA COULSON (VALLEY)
With 35 wickets at just 12.31, the off-spinner just had to be in our side and her presence adds to the chemistry of the squad given there were also another three Valley plays in the squad.
With the Sunshine Coast and Valleys girls smattered throughout, it would be an incredibly tough team to beat.
At times throughout the season Coulson, who bowled an economical 3.29, could erase three batsmen in a three over spell.
How she would have enjoyed ripping in with Ginger all summer at the other end.
CLODAGH RYALL (WYNNUM MANLY)
Ryall was a bit of an unsung hero so she definitely deserves a spot in the squad.
At times she leaked a few runs but it is hard to go past someone who took the third most wickets (35) in the competition in 24 games.
She finished with an average of 15.46.
Ryall, a left-arm seamer and Coulson (see above) were named last week in the Australian Indigenous squad that will tour Vanuatu next month for the first time.
CHARNI BLOXSOM (UQ)
Bloxsom is the last bowler to make the side, the University representative taking 33 wickets in 22 games this season.
She bowled at an excellent average of 13, taking multiple four wicket hauls throughout the season.
SECOND GRADE HONOUR ROLL OF HIGH PERFORMERS
+ Melissa Lewis (Souths)
Lewis was the competition’s top scorer and it wasn’t close.
She scored 663 and the next best was 445 by Sandgate’s Lauren Patterson.
The No. 3 averaged 39 with the bat and backed that up with 27 wickets at just 8.7.
Talk about an all-rounder.
+ Lauren Patterson (Sandgate)
Patterson steered the ship for her side, facing the new ball each week and delivering in spades.
With a high score of 93, Patterson was a patient customer but still managed to record an average of 34.23.
+Claire Molloy (Wests)
Molloy was only in the middle 15 times this summer but during her time at the crease she scored efficiently at an average of 29.7.
+Jessica Daldy (UQ)
Daldy was the best bowler going around the competition, carrying UQ to third place with her bowling prowess.
She took a whopping 37 wickets in 19 matches at an average of just 7.19. Batting in the top order, Daldy also chipped in with a batting average of 13.
+Kate Campbell (Norths)
In 15 games, Campbell made her presence at the bowling crease felt on every occasion.
With 25 wickets at 10.28, Campbell gave her all to her Norths team, who were treated to two five wicket hauls throughout the season.
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