Taverners 3-2-1 top performers from round 5 highlighted here as Valley open their account with upset win over pace-setters University

Taverners Queensland Under-17s: Who were the 3-2-1 best performers from round 5? The best of the best are revealed here after a drought-breaking win.

Young guns left their mark in round 5 of the Taverners Queensland cricket competition last weekend, most notably the rookies from the Valley club.

In an upset of all upsets, the boys from Ashgrove produced a stirring five wicket victory over previously unbeaten University, the competition heavyweights and reigning premiers.

University had won four-from-four matches to start the season while Valley had not yet tasted victory.

That was until Sunday when Valley, with Ben Rothwell and Dan Desmet the spearheads, backed up a fine fielding innings with a clinical run chase to draw first blood on their season.

Churchie all-rounder Dan Desmet delivered the goods with both bat and ball to inspire his side to the away win played on Wep Harris Oval at University.

Churchie batsman Daniel Desmet GPS First XI cricket between Churchie and Brisbane Grammar School. Saturday January 27, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Desmet took two wickets before playing a starring role (52 not out, 63 balls) in a batting chase that snapped the team’s losing streak and eclipsed the individual brilliance of University captain Blake Armstrong (118).

Armstrong won the toss and elected to bat and outside of Gregory Terrace all-rounder Theo Bacalakis (28), his teammates failed to fire in the face of some fantastic fielding by the Valley boys.

Armstrong engineered a colossal century with wickets tumbling around him, the Maroochydoore prodigy punishing the Valley bowlers on his way to his first ton of the season.

The hard-hitting Brisbane Boys’ College weapon hit six fours and as many sixes in a 104-ball knock that captivated one and all and controlled the University innings.

Marist College Ashgrove right-arm fast bowler Will Easter (3-26), Dan Desmet (2-52), Archer Tallon (1-47) and Angus Peters (1-10) all snared wickets to have University all out for 198 after 41 overs.

In reply, emerging Churchie Year 9 student Dan Desmet bumped his average up to 32 by grinding out 52 runs in a monumental 84-run partnership alongside Ben Rothwell.

BGS batsman Ben Rothwell GPS first XI cricket between Nudgee and BGS at Nudgee college Saturday February 17, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Desmet, the left-arm off spinner and top order bat, showed maturity beyond his years with Rothwell also showing his class in a 115-ball innings that followed an impressive showing behind the stumps.

Desmet and wicketkeeper-batsmen Rothwell, standouts for Valley all season long, were supreme rotating the strike and plugging the gaps against a spin-heavy University bowling attack.

Tom King (3-30) Ashton Clark (1-37) and Christian Alexander (1-24) took wickets for the home side before the war was won in the 47th over by Valley.

TAVERNERS CRICKET’S 3-2-1 TOP PERFORMERS FROM ROUND 5

South Brisbane 4-194 def Northern Suburbs 10-193

2.Ishaan Sandu (South Brisbane)

Sandhu scorched on Sunday and his batting knock was just everything for his side.

Chasing 194 for victory, the classy opener was at the peak of his powers hitting 81 runs from 99 balls.

He put away eight fours and one six and was a class above in telling partnerships with Ryan Weththasinghe and Lenny Henry.

1.Lenny Henry (South Brisbane)

Henry was a hero with the bat. He scored an unbeaten 47 and repelled a quality Norths bowling outift to see his side to the target.

His innings featured great composure and determination and his partnership with Deacon Hunt (22 not out) took the life out of his rivals.

1 and 1. Luke Herrmann and Yash Kamath (Norths)

Norths bowlers Luke Herrmann (3-30) and Yash Kamath (3-29) provided the goods for the team.

With six wickets between them, the dynamic duo delivered blow after blow to turn a cracking start by Norths into somewhat of a collapse.

Kamath claimed the prized wicket of Harry DeSouza which was a big moment in the match.

1.Andrew Klein (Norths)

Andrew Klein put his head down and produced a mighty knock of 39 (43 balls) against Souths’ new ball bowlers.

With the ball swinging and the summer sun beaming, Klein’s efforts were elite.

He hit two fours and two sixes in a bold statement.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

+ Norths duo Theo Tsingos (0-28, 10 overs) and Isaac Paine (2-27, 10 overs) challenged the Souths batters hard.

+Souths spinner Dushyant Thaman for removing Norths opener Andrew Klein (39). He also took the final wicket of Theo Tsingos with nine balls left in the Norths innings to steal victory.

Norths were just one run away from winning before Thaman took control of the moment.

+Norths middle order batsmen Charlie Henderson for withstanding pressure as wickets tumbled around him to produce an unbeaten 26.

+Norths batsmen Harry DeSouza (34, 46 balls) and Eli Brain (34, 61 balls).

Sandgate-Redcliffe 6-191 def Toombul 8-189

1.Hayden Dalmazzo (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

Brisbane Grammar School bowler Hayden Dalmazzo GPS First XI cricket between Churchie and Brisbane Grammar School. Saturday January 27, 2024. Picture, John Gass

When No.8 batsmen Hayden Dalmazzo entered the fray the match was far from won with the Gators 6-132 and in need of someone to stand up.

He stood up and rose above, Dalmazzo scoring a crucial 36 not out at run-a-ball pace to steer his side to safety.

Alongside his skipper Louis Marais (22 not out), Dalmazzo dug deep to bring up Sandgate-Redcliffe’s second win of the year.

1.Julian Bass (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

Before Dalmazzo dazzled with some late game magic, No.6 batsmen Julian Bass showed he was more than up for it with a match defining knock of 41 (47 balls).

When Bass waltzed into the middle Toombul had complete control and with plenty of intent, Bass turned the tables to get his tailenders into a position where they could win the game.

Bass belted fives fours and two sixes and took charge courageously in an impressive 64-run stand with Gurvir Singh Sidhu.

2.Preston Lovell (Toombul)

Lovell was the most potent bowler on the day.

He picked up the key wicket of Sam Jones (58) which was one of four wickets the on-the-money youngster snared in a match to remember.

His figures were 4-26 from 10 overs and he did not bowl a single wide.

He was the head of the snake for the Gators.

1.Fraser Judd (Toombul)

Young gun Fraser Judd.

The Gators were all over Toombul early to have them 2-8 in no time.

Who was there to resurrect the innings? It was fourth drop bat Fraser Judd who, slowly but surely, saved the Toombul innings with a crucial knock of 59.

He made a living running between the wickets in extreme heat.

1.Sam Jones (Toombul)

Sam Jones and Judd (see above) were immovable forces in the middle on Sunday and without them Toombul were doomed.

Jones contributed 58 to the total and was seemingly telepathic with Judd between the wickets.

He and Judd put on a 109-run partnership that gave the Toombul bowlers a healthy total to defend.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

+ To Toombul bowler Jagmeet Singh who removed classy opener Jack Southgate and went for just 29 runs from 10 overs.

+Toombul captain Spencer Green for setting a high standard at the bowling crease. He did not take a wicket but asked plenty of questions (0-31, 10 overs).

+Sandgate-Redcliffe batters Singh Sidhu (31) and Marais (22 not out) who added valuable runs in the Gators’ run chase.

Western Suburbs 10-257 def Redlands 10-224

2.Sohaan Sharma (Wests)

The form player of Taverners cricket right now was at his best again on Sunday when he conjured 71 from 90 balls opening the batting for Wests.

The outstanding Ipswich Grammar student dispatched nine fours and a six in a tone-setting knock that took it to the Tigers bowlers.

1. Ryan Atley (Wests)

Brisbane Boys College batsman Ryan Atley GPS First XI cricket between Brisbane Boys College and Churchie. Saturday February 11, 2023. Picture, John Gass

The Brisbane Boys’ College weapon had been kept quieter than usual to start the season but he fired on Sunday to serve up an unassailable first innings total of 257.

The No.4 bat and team captain was mesmorising in a 61-ball knock that added 54 runs to the score.

He hit just four boundaries which showed the skipper was willing to work hard for his runs.

1. Krrish Whala (Redlands)

Whala was Redlands’ main man with the ball in hand.

One of his three wickets was superb opener Sohaan Sharma and the other was Ryan Atley who had his eye in.

He claimed his third later on which was efficient No.8 batter Kie Specogna (19,21 balls) and he bowled just one wide across nine overs.

1. Shlok Dani (Wests)

Dani has been delivering in spades all season long and he maintained his high standard at the weekend pitching in with both bat and ball.

Opening the batting he scored quickly for his 30 runs and with the ball he was on song.

He finished with figures of 2-32 from 10 overs without a wide bowled.

1. Riley Eckersley (Redlands)

Surfers Paradise bowler Riley Eckersley Under-18s division one grand final between Surfers Paraduse and Mudgeeraba. Sunday March 26, 2023. Picture, John Gass

The Redlands skipper walked the talk at the bowling crease where he dished up three maidens.

Eckersley finished with figures of 1-22 from 10 overs and batting No.4 he top scored for his side with 38 runs, none of which came with help from a boundary.

He did not go down without a fight.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

+Trusty Wests opener Shlok Dani played his part scoring 30 from 33 balls. No.6 bat Gitarth Gupta (29, 35 runs) and Kie Specogna (19,21) were also very effective.

+There was plenty to like about Redlands all-rounder Joe Parsons who snared two wickets and produced a run-a-ball cameo of 34 in the middle order which lifted Redlands.

+Lachie Crain and Tom Vaseo were excellent for Redlands. Crain contributed 29 (40 balls) in the middle order to keep pressure on the Wests bowlers before No.8 batter Vaseo finished the match with a bang scoring 29 runs from just 12 deliveries.

Vaseo smacked three six hits and a four in a valiant showcase of power hitting at the back end of the Redlands batting chase.

Wynnum-Manly 9-204 def Gold Coast 10-141

1.Sasen Perera (Wynnum-Manly)

Perera added three more wickets to his tally this season (eight wickets so far) in an influential bowling effort.

Perera bowled 10 overs and was unplayable at times on his way to notching figures of 3-20 from 10 overs.

His double-treat midway through the Dolphins batting innings where he removed Cam Sinfield and Rhys Horne was just what the doctor ordered for the Sea Eagles.

1.Shoubhit Jain (Wynnum-Manly)

Jain was a juggernaut at the bowling crease delivering one his best performances of the season.

Jain held up his end of the bargain and despite missing out on a wicket, his pressure bowling (10-2-33-0) created success for his teammates.

In the first innings Jain tortured the Dolphins bowlers with a quickfire 22 not out coming in at No.9.

1.Kethmin Meegasdeniya (Wynnum-Manly)

Sea Eagles newcomer Meegasdeniya was a beneficiary of Jain’s bowling prowess.

The Brisbane State High spin bowler was damaging in eight overs, Meegasdeniya claiming three wickets in that time to accelerate the demise of the Gold Coast batting innings.

1.Cam Sinfield (Gold Coast)

TSS bowler Cameron Sinfield celebrates a wicket GPS First XI match between Nudgee College and TSS. Saturday February 3, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Spin bowler Cam Sinfield has been quietly having a tremendous season with the ball and on Sunday he continued to enhance his reputation with figures of 3-28 from 10 overs.

The ultra-reliable The Southport School student conceded no runs in three of those overs and he removed the in-form Noah Maguire for naught as well as opener Josh Cranston (40).

1 and 1. Josh Cranston and Josh Ritchie (Wynnum-Manly)

The determined Sea Eagles openers played their role to perfection on Sunday and it got their side off to a comfortable start.

Cranston scored 40 and Ritchie 32 and their 62-run partnership instilled confidence in their peers to play their own game.

Iona batsman Joshua Ritchie AIC First XI cricket game. Padua V Iona Saturday February 24, 2024. Picture, John Gass

SPECIAL MENTIONS

+Gold Coast paceman Ellis McCarthy continued to stake his claim as one of the premier bowlers in his age group by adding three more wickets to his tally (12 wickets).

He leaked a few runs along the way but his wickets were a just reward for his efforts.

+Gold Coast tailender Hayden Trevethan for his determined knock of 22 at No.10. The game was lost but high praise to the pace bowler for his efforts.

+Wynnum-Manly No.5 bat Toby Collins for his timely knock of 34 which propelled his side towards the 200s.

+Wynnum-Manly No.3 bat Hayden Hamilton for wasting no time in the middle (26, 22 balls).

Sunshine Coast 9-181 def Ipswich 9-177

1. Joe Murray (Sunshine Coast)

No.3 bat Joe Murray made a difference again for the Scorchers after notching a fifty earlier in the season.

In just his second game of the year, Murray made 45 with every run vitally important to the Scorchers’ pursuit of victory.

1.Lachlan Patterson (Sunshine Coast)

Patterson scored 17 not out but it was the importance of his innings that got him a vote here.

The No.8 bat arrived at the middle with more than 40 runs to get and his grit and clean-hitting prevailed in the face of the amped-up Ipswich bowlers.

His run-a-ball cameo was Clutch with a capital C.

2. Colby Rudd (Ipswich)

Rudd was the rock Ipswich needed on Sunday.

He opened the batting early in the day and scored a match high 60 runs (103 balls) and then backed up his batting brilliance by taking two wickets.

He held up his end of the bargain, that is for sure.

1 and 1. Banjo Seaniger and Malakai Pearce (Sunshine Coast)

The dynamic duo were outstanding again after being prime movers for the Sunshine Coast in the opening four matches.

At the bowling crease is where they dealt damage with Toowoomba Grammar gun Banjo Seaniger (3-30, 10 overs) removing both openers before they could go on with the job.

Seaniger’s breakthroughs could not have come at a better time after a first innings stand of 97 runs.

The same could be said for Pearce who fed off Seaniger’s breakthrough to skiddle three of the Hornets top order batsmen for next to nothing.

The elite all-rounder finished with figures of 3-28 from 10 overs and got a start (16) with the bat.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

+Pat Rose (Ipswich)

The on-song Hornet had the Scorchers batsmen treading very carefully when he came into bowl.

His figures were 0-24 from 10 overs and he was the pick of the Ipswich bowlers.

+Thanushkar Shanmugaprasath (Ipswich)

Shanmugaprasath snared the first two wickets for Ipswich in their defence of 177 runs.

He finished with figures of 2-14 off five overs and his buddy Colby Rudd (2-23) threatened as well.

+Ipswich opener Rhys Johnston for his 33 run effort against the new ball and impressive No.8 bat Oscar Dioth whose unbeaten run-a-ball 27 late in the piece gave the Hornets a big boost heading into the innings break.

Originally published as Taverners 3-2-1 top performers from round 5 highlighted here as Valley open their account with upset win over pace-setters University