Magic moments: 50 fab highlights from the Taverners Under-17 cricket season
Magic moments: The 50 fabulous highlights that came out of the Taverners under-17 Lew Cooper Cup cricket season. See who starred and when here.
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The Taverners Under-17s cricket competition will reach a flashpoint on Sunday when Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, University of Queensland and Wynnum-Manly battle it out for a place in the grand final.
Wynnum Manly will travel to the Sunshine Coast where the Scorchers will be in waiting while the Gold Coast Dolphins will play away at University.
From blistering centuries by Norths duo Eli Brain and Harry DeSouza and bowling brilliance by Coast kids to six-wicket hauls and upset wins, there were plenty of magic moments engineered by Queensland’s top under-17 cricketers this spring.
Ahead of the semi-finals, take a trip down memory lane and enjoy this honour roll recalling the top highlights of the season.
ROUND 1 HIGHLIGHTS
Oscar Cawse (Sunshine Coast)
The control and potency of Cawse was seen from round 1 when his mesmerising 10 overs yielded 5-21 against Wynnum-Manly.
Joe Murray (Sunshine Coast)
Murray drew a line in the sand early with a commanding 84 not out (132 balls) against the Sea Eagles which dictated the tempo of his team’s batting performance.
Hayden Hamilton (Wynnum-Manly) and Malakai Pearce (Sunshine Coast)
There was an early sign of things to come from both these boys when Hamilton scored 50 (63 balls) in match No. 1 - and Pearce claimed his wicket. Both would go on and have bumper seasons.
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Sohaan Sharma (Wests)
The quality of versatile Wests batsman Sharma was evident in round 1 when he roared to 88 batting at No. 5 which showed Sharma, also an accomplished opener, was no one trick pony.
Shlok Dani (Wests)
Could he have had a better start to the competition? In an away game to arch rivals Ipswich, Wests’ vice-captain Dani dished up a quality 10 over performance for 4-19.
Samuel Jones (Toombul)
Jones was responsible for one of the top moments in GPS First XI cricket earlier this season when he produced a clutch batting performance to win a match for Terrace.
He features again here for his gutsy 78 not out coming in at No. 8 after Toombul (216) were 5-69 and 6-123.
Daniel Desmet (Valley)
Desmet would go on to become one of the competition’s most respected all-rounders, with his first match of the season performance of 10-2-28-4 featuring four of Toombul’s top six batsmen.
Luke Ward (Gold Coast)
There was a glimpse of Ward’s skills when he made 64 not out, farming the strike and playing second fiddle to aggressive pair Jaxson Davies and Kai Dalli.
Riley Eckersley (Redlands)
Riley Eckersley started the season strongly for the Tigers when he claimed 4-39 and also scored 24 not out in a winning team performance.
His wicket included Sandgate-Redcliffe’s defiant Jack Southgate (28, 86 balls).
ROUND 2
Hayden Hamilton (Wynnum-Manly)
That man Hayden Hamilton made it two magic moments in two rounds with a brilliant 85 (78 balls). It was a sign of things to come.
Kethmin Meegasdeniya (Wynnum-Manly)
The remarkable control and wicket taking ability of Queensland representative Meegasdeniya was there for all to consume across his 7.1 overs (4-25).
Ryan Atley (Wests)
Atley was simply superb in round 2 when he fired off 98 from just 93 balls. Oh how the left handed gloveman deserved three figures.
He also snared a couple of catches.
Theodore Bacalakis (University)
Bacalakis made Jack McLaughlin Oval look small with a magnificent 118 not out from 144 balls. He took his side from 2-25 into a match winning position chasing a lofty 5-263.
University defeated Wests and Bacalakis, Blake Armstrong (64) and Luke Alexander (43 not out) were the 3-2-1 best on the day.
Fraser Judd (Toombul)
Fraser Judd (47 not out, 80 balls) got the Bulls home in a thriller where 14 overs fell. Chasing 172 against Sunshine Coast, he held his nerve as wickets fell around him. For the Scorchers, Charlie Kruger snared three catches in the field.
Joey Laner (Norths)
The Marist Ashgrove student stamped himself as an all-rounder of substance when he delivered a thumping 86 (81 balls) after his team slumped to 4-68 chasing 204.
It was one of the best knocks of the season. With the ball he also took 2-48.
Rhys Johnston (Ipswich)
In this game there was also a glimpse of Johnston. He’d been seen earlier in the year playing First XI GPS for Toowoomba Grammar School, and was now on the radar in Taverners after making 65 (126 balls). There was also a sighting of Eli Brain (Norths) whose three wickets were all top five batsmen.
Harry Klatt (Valley)
A Year 10 student from Terrace, Klatt caused a ripple in the competition when he snared a sensational 6-41 against Sandgate-Redcliffe. Also in the same game, an unflappable Harry Morton (29 not out, 44 balls) got Valley home in one of the more thrilling matches of the season.
Ellis McCarthy (Gold Coast)
There was another six wicket haul in round 2 when McCarthy upstaged all other bowlers with a remarkable 6-27 from 10 overs. The right arm quick took davantage of the conditions to shake, rattle and roll Redlands’ line-up, bowling straight to capture victims bowled or LBW. His gloveman Brody Felton claimed four catches and a run out as well.
ROUND 3
Sohaan Sharma (Wests)
Back at opener after batting No. 5 in round 1, Sharma tipped the scales his team’s way with 85 (126 balls) against South Brisbane. In the same game Shlok Dani (Wests, 3-9 from seven overs) was again tantalising with the ball.
Dushyant Thaman (South Brisbane)
Although his left arm orthodox spin conceded 56 runs, Souths’ best player Thaman did claim four wickets.
Hayden Hamilton (Wynnum-Manly)
Hamilton was at it again, pressing up against a century before falling seven runs short. He scored 93 from 128 balls against Toombul.
Harry Langdon (University)
Langdon’s opening spell against Norths (6-2-19-3) was match defining, with Norths never recovering on the way to a nine wicket loss.
Thomas Town (Sunshine Coast)
Town found the bullseye during seven compelling overs which claimed 4-22 to reduce the Gators to 159. He also took a catch for the winners.
Riley Eckersley (Redlands)
Eckersley produced a magnificent captain’s knock on his way to a patient 56 not out (109 balls). His side lost two early wickets and were a little uncertain chasing 182, but the skip’s calm head prevailed.
Luke Ward (Gold Coast)
Luke Ward was among the runs for the Gold Coast against Valley, scoring 64 (87 balls). The game was still in the balance at 4-149, but Ward carried his side to the brink of victory before being dismissed.
ROUND 4
Ryan Beatty (South Brisbane)
Beatty produced close to the best all-round performance of the season so far when he scored 40 from 44 balls after taking 3-32 from 10 overs.
He meant business.
Sohaan Sharma (Wests)
It took a run out to end Sharma’s dramatic innings of 106 which dominated the match against Norths. It was sweet for Sharma to pass three figures after two earlier scores in the 80s.
Eli Brain (Norths)
For all Sharma’s domination, it was Brain who stole the show (113 not out, 139 balls) as Norths ran down the Wests total of 219. It was some performance from the Brisbane Grammar student.
Hayden Hamilton (Wynnum-Manly)
Hamilton stood out like the Old Cleveland Lighthouse with his 51 and 2-27. His half century raised his side to a seven wicket win.
Jules McAllister (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
McAllister scored 51 from 87 balls, doing the heavy lifting in a match were his team managed 132 runs.
Theodore Bacalakis (University)
Bacalakis notched his second century of the season with a stunning 104 not out (122 balls) that took Redlands out of the game in a hurry.
Blake Armstrong (University)
He is an influential top order batter or opener, but on this occasion Armstrong’s left arm orthodox spin (5-26) was the sledgehammer that ended Redland’s resistance.
Malakai Pearce (Sunshine Coast)
Pearce’s excellent season with bat and ball gathered momentum in this round 4 game against the Gold Coast when he took three poles, all of which were top order wickets.
Special mention to his teammate Thomas Town (3-29) who showed up again for the Scorchers.
Daniel Desmet (Valley)
Desmet brought up his second half century of the season in a thrilling clash with Ipswich.
He scored 58 from 78 balls. In a tight game where runs were like gold, Samuel Drinnen (Valley) took 3-15.
ROUND 5
Ishaan Sandhu (South Brisbane)
South Brisbane’s best batting performance of the season came when beating Norths and it was underpinned by opener Sandhu whose 81 from 99 balls gave his bowlers plenty to defend.
Hayden Dalmazzo (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
Dalmazzo’s double of 2-46 and 36 not out (39 balls) was the difference.
The Gators were behind in the game after slumping to 6-132, but Dalmazzo spearheaded a lower order rally which saw his side win. His wickets included Toombul’s Fraser Judd (59) who was set.
Preston Lovell (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
The Gators chase of victory was aided by Lovell’s splendid bowling (4-36) which included the crucial wicket of Samuel Jones (58).
Sohaan Sharma (Wests)
Sharma was again the main man with a game high 71 not out which elevated Wests to a winning total against Redlands.
Kethmin Meegasdeniya and Sasen Perera (Redlands)
Take your pick who had more of a say in Redlands’ round 5 upset win against the Gold Coast. Perera took 3-20 from 10 overs, including the prized scalp of Luke Ward, while Meegasdeniya (3-25) was just as impressive.
Daniel Desmet and Benjamin Rothwell (Valley)
Desmet (51) was among the runs again with a flowing innings, and his right hand man Rothwell (51 not out, 115 balls) provided extra substance in a great win over University.
Valley were 3-71 and with plenty of work to do when the boys added 74 runs.
Blake Armstrong (University)
It would not happen often, scoring 118 from 104 balls, and your side losing. But Armstrong finished on the wrong side of the win-loss column despite his wonderful performance which was one of the top knocks of the season.
He also challenged Valley’s batters at the bowling crease (0-27, 10 overs).
Colby Rudd (Ipswich)
The consistent Rudd, Ipswich’s opener, was working his way nicely into the season after scoring 60 from 103 balls.
ROUND 6
Eli Brain (Norths)
The BGS First XI player went bang and crash to blast 70 not out from 69 balls and ensure an early win for his side against Redlands.
Cooper Johnson (Gold Coast)
The Dolphins were being threatened by Toombul when right arm fast Johnson produced a match winning second spell. Chasing 241, the Bulls were 4-175 when an amped-up skipper Johnson (4-35) rolled through the lower order.
Colby Rudd (Ipswich)
Rodd continued to lay bricks and mix the concrete for his side, with his 70 from 134 balls challenging Wynnum.
It was to no avail as Hayden Hamilton (63 not out) performed again, but it was a nice personal performance from Rudd, who also grabbed two catches.
ROUND 7
Ayaan Khan (Redlands)
Right armed Ayaan Khan bowled the South Brisbane lower order down a whirlwind with a remarkable haul of 4-5 from just 15 balls.
It was a day for spinners as TSS schoolboy and South Brisbane captain Dushyant Thaman (4-17, 10 overs) returned serve for his side.
Luke Ward (Gold Coast)
Luke Ward produced the individual performance of the season when his 7-34 came after a 77-ball batting blitz (63 not out).
Ward’s 9.2 over effort saw the Gators fall from 1-109 to be all out for 178, with the youngster sparking wild celebrations when he bowled Steve Hogan.
Harry DeSouza (Norths)
DeSouza stormed to a round highlight 88 from 134 balls to send his side rolling down hill toward a seven wicket win against Valley.
Jacob Orbell (Toombul)
Orbell scaled the mountain when his teammates were slipping over, scoring 78 from 115 balls.
His side only made 188 against Ipswich.
Rhys Johnston (Ipswich)
There was another half century by Colby Rudd (Ipswich), but it was his opening partner, Johnston, who stole the show with 81 from 112 balls.
It was a sign of things to come for Johnston.
Malakai Pearce (Sunshine Coast)
Pearce’s 3-24 from seven overs against a quality opposition (Wests) played a big part in his team’s win.
Shoubhit Jain (Redlands)
Jain (4-32) and Kethmin Meegasdeniya (3-7) took seven wickets between them as the bayside boys lowered University’s mast in an upset result. Jain claimed the big wickets of Blake Armstrong and Angus Storen, and then snared another two victims.
ROUND 8
Rhys Johnston (Ipswich)
Johnston unloaded with the second highest score, 137 not out, of the season to leave onlookers applauding and then cheering some more.
It was a super knock across 163 deliveries that included 14 fours and a six.
Lachlan Barnes (Gold Coast)
Barnes produced a telling 4-14 from seven overs and snared two catches in a day out for the Dolphins.
Hayden Dalmazzo (Gators)
Remarkably Dalmazzo survived Johnston’s onslaught to return the elite figures of 10-4-36-4.
He was rewarded for line and length in his second spell after Rudd and Johnston had added plenty for the first wicket.
Elijah Welsh (Sunshine Coast)
Welsh burst through to take the batting honours against Norths by making 77 not out (107 balls).
Theodore Bacalakis (University)
The name Bacalakis has a constant presence in this story, and here he is again popping up after a brilliant 85. Fraser Judd (Toombul, 77 runs) was also outstanding, but it was Theodore’s day, again.
Joshua Ritchie (Wynnum-Manly)
Young opener Ritchie, a big improver from the bayside, was in contention for mentions earlier, but he hit the headlines in no uncertain manner after churning out a startling 135 (130 balls). Wow, what an innings.
With the ball Hamilton also took 3-21 for the Sea Eagles and Shoubhit Jain 4-27.
ROUND 9
Jaxson Davies (Gold Coast)
Having scored 74 not out in round 8, Davies upped the ante to make 108 from just 89 balls. The TSS rookie was simply sensational in this match against Ipswich.
Dushyant Thaman (South Brisbane)
Thaman could not have done any more for Souths in this round, taking 4-30 and top scoring with 66 runs. He’d have moved the sightscreen if it needed doing, such was his contribution against Valley.
Oscar Cawse and Malakai Pearce (Sunshine Coast)
The boys were back in town with more wickets. Cawse snared 3-18 and Pearce 3-19.
Steven Hogan (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
It was the Steve Hogan show as this age group’s best batsman made a startling 147 not out in one of his few appearances in the under-17s.
Harry DeSouza (Norths)
DeSouza was fantastic, simply superb in rolling to 124 not out from just 158 balls against Wynnum Manly.
Hayden Hamilton also scored 81 for Wynnum, but good old Harry stole the show.
Theo Tsingos (Norths)
Paddies’ firsts place Theo was sublime with the ball, snaring 5-36 for his side in a grand win over Wynnum.
Spencer Green (Toombul)
Emerging leg spinner Spencer Green starred in a losing effort against Wests when he took 5-27 across his 10 overs.
The first six to fall for Wests all had Green’s name next to it after the Toombul terror also bobbed up to run out opposition captain Ryan Atley.
ROUND 10
Rhys Johnston (Ipswich)
The Hornets opener left his market again in a win against Souths. Chasing 180 runs to win, Johnston scored an unbeaten 112 at run-a-ball pace to steer his side past the winners post.
The Southport School pair Sandhu and Thaman each scored fifties for Souths.
Aryan Sanjay and Joe Murray (Sunshine Coast)
On their home ground, opening bat Sanjay (77, 79 balls) and No. 3 Murray (59, 62 balls) were masterful when scoring fast to lift their side over Valley.
They put on 87 runs together and took the life out of the Valley bowlers as they raced towards the total.
Samuel Pauli and Krrish Whala (Redlands)
Pauli (4-23) and Whala (1-37, 10 overs) stood tall with the ball to have Wynnum Manly all out for 183 runs. Then with the bat, No. 5 Whala (44) stood up again to cause an upset away from home.
Hamilton (64) ploughed on for Wynnum Manly in this match.
Will Garate and Rushi Kakkad (Wests)
Hosting a strong Sandgate-Redcliffe outfit, opening batter Garata (73, 90 balls) and No. 5 Kakkad had razer sharp focus and delivered big time.
An outstanding 73-run knock by Gators No. 8 Hayden Dalmazzo (73, 59 balls), threatened to win the match for the visitors however the pace bowling of Ipswich Grammar quick Callum Pamenter (5-27, nine overs) ensured the batting deeds of Garata and Kakkad were rewarded.
Eli Brain (Norths)
Norths all-rounder Eli Brain brained in yet again in a comprehensive win over Toombul.
He scored 60 alongside Harry DeSouza (66) and then took 4-22 from 10 overs to catapult Norths toward victory.
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