Queensland Premier Cricket: The brightest sparks from last round which included Uni, Norths’ premierships
Queensland premier club cricket: Who shone brightest in men’s and women’s first, second and third grade matches last weekend, which included premiership glory for Uni and Norths? All is revealed here.
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University were the Kookaburra Cup one day champions while Norths claimed the second grade limited overs title during a busy Saturday and Sunday of senior cricket.
TAVERNER’S ROUND 7 LEW COOPER CUP LATEST
Aces Angus Lovell (131) and Max Clayton (76) were batting stars as University of Queensland won the John McKnoulty Cup over neighbours Wests.
Uni’s 7-312 was never going to be run down once Donal Whyte (3-25) found his groove, despite the best efforts of Wests’ pair Tom Campbell (63) and Steven McGiffin (54).
Uni opener Lovell (131, 135 balls) was a runaway winner for man of the match honours after his dynamic hundred. But he was not the only one who scored a century last weekend.
The Allan Pettigrew Shield second grade men competition was highlighted by three century makers - Sunshine Coast veteran Ben Bear, Ipswich Grammar schoolboy Sohann Sharma (Wests) and Gold Coast’s Ben Emmaus Benn.
And the Norm McMahon third grade competition saw Iona College product Liam Carter score an unbeaten century for Wynnum Manly.
There was also premiership glory for Norths second grade one day side who defended 197 against the Gold Coast on Sunday.
St Patrick’s College student Theo Tsingos was the bowling hero for Norths (4-18), although it was very much a team performance.
Jump to: First grade men, second grade women, first grade women, second grade men, third grade men.
PLAYERS OF THE ROUND
MEN’S FIRST GRADE - BULLS MASTERS TWO DAY
Stephen Muller (Redlands)
Muller rose to a season high 112 when he expertly grafted his side to 7-249. He was full of defiance, batting most of the day during a gruelling 227 ball performance in sapping heat.
It was an innings which was worth the wait this season.
Sean Seaward (Wests)
The Ipswich Grammar School old boy shook, rattled and rolled the top of the Ipswich innings by the first ball dismissal of Ethan Ramsbotham, and another soon after Bryn Llewellyn (15).
Seaward finished with 4-29 and at one stage had Ipswich in danger of an outright defeat.
Harry Sheppard (Ipswich)
Local product Sheppard launched a dramatic rescue operation to deny Wests full points.
With his team seemingly gone for all money at 9-77, left handed Sheppard smashed 84 not out (97 balls) in a dramatic last wicket stand with Sean Lutter who dug deep for more than an hour.
Sheppard hit seven fours and four sixes.
Zanden Jeh (South Brisbane)
Zanden Jeh (98) finished frustratingly short of his first ever Premier grade century as South Brisbane restored law and order following a first day ambush by Northern Suburbs on a damp day.
In his first season at Souths after switching from Valley, the rising left arm orthodox bowler highlighted his batting’s development by scoring a free flowing 98 (127 balls, 11 fours, two sixes).
Chad Soper (Sunshine Coast)
The Super Dooper Chad Soper (7-56) was at it again with a stunning seven wicket haul that pushed his team along to an outright win over Toombul.
The PNG international was at the top of his game, with his pace and swing too inflicting blow upon blow to Toombul’s armour.
Curtis McAllister (Sunshine Coast)
The glove work of Curtis McAllister came in handy given the quality of Soper’s work (see above).
On four occasions he supported his team’s strike bowler with catches, while on another occasion stumped promising Bulls’ rookie, Padua old boy Joe Cotgreave, who top scored for his side.
Callum Galvin (Valley)
Max Bryant fired off 68 from 88 balls, but we most liked the desire of opener Galvin who batted more than two hours for his 52.
The Toowoomba Grammar School old boy would have liked to have batted closer to a century which would have inched Valley toward first innings points, but it was a positive sign.
Josh Creevey (Sandgate Redcliffe)
The Gators were bailing water after making just 165, but Creevey shook the trees with his 24 over effort that snared him 5-83.
He got wickets early, and late, and in between ousted Sea Eagles captain Jed Wilson.
Thando Ntini (Wynnum Manly)
The son of a gun (his dad is South African champion Makhaya), paceman Thando Ntini snared a compelling 6-61 to claim eight wickets in the match.
Ntini captured all six wickets to fall and his performance followed the spectacular first innings bowling performance of Joshua Fraser (6-47)
Adrian Lascu (Sandgate Redcliffe)
The Gators’ captain pushed his way to a creditable 58 in a match dominated by the bowlers.
His innings denied the Sea Eagles push for an outright win.
WOMEN’S SECOND GRADE - JODIE PURVES T20 SHIELD
Phoebe Murphy and Evie Baker (Sunshine Coast)
The Scorchers duo were scorching hot again on Sunday with batting efforts that put a down payment on victory up the Sunshine Coast.
Phoebe Murphy’s run-a-ball 30 against the new ball set a terrific tone before Abby Stevens (26) and Evie Baker (57, 30 balls) took matters into their own hands.
Baker’s blitz was sensational, the fifth drop bat sending eight balls to the boundary and one over the rope in a cracking display of power-hitting.
When she was dismissed, the Sunshine Coast were sitting pretty at 5-173. She had arrived in the middle at 3-51.
Baker was also involved in a run out in the field where she snared a wicket, LBW.
Angela Thomas (Sunshine Coast)
The Scorchers’ new ball bowler came with intent and was rewarded when taking two early wickets to send the Gators’ batting innings into disarray.
She took the second, third and fourth wickets of the innings to have Sandgate-Redcliffe reeling at 4-27 and, across four overs, she was economical leaking just 14 runs.
Earlier in the day, in a loss against Souths, Thomas led the way taking three wickets in 15 balls.
Abigail Curness (South Brisbane)
Curness cashed in on Sunday to steer her side to a comprehensive six-wicket win over Wests. With an unbeaten 56 doing the trick, Curness cruised toward victory first facing the new ball bowlers and then outlasting the rest of them in a 53-ball knock of precision.
She was there from start to finish and was a rock for Souths in their pursuit of 128 runs. Souths now sit in second place on the ladder.
Keeva Mohan and Co. (Wests)
It wasn’t quite the nine-boundary showcase we saw from the outstanding Curness but Keeva Mohan still managed to survive unbeaten and chip in a team-high 34 runs (39 balls). All this after producing 33 not out the match before against the Gators.
After Scarlett Varidel (23) and Ella Wellwoo (33) had done wonderfully against the new ball, first drop bat Mohan ran well between the wickets to see Wests to a score of 127 against Souths.
At the bowling crease, Mohan’s teammate Phoebe Howard (2-18) challenged hard.
Earlier in the day, Wests opener Scarlett Varidel launched her team to victory against Sandgate-Redcliffe by scoring an unbeaten 63.
She scored almost half of the 138-run total and made a living running between the wickets.
Jemma Savill (Gold Coast)
A big score was looming for the Coast opener and on Sunday she served it up, a match-defining knock of 66 not out to power the Dolphins to a stunning first innings total of 148.
Savill put away nine boundaries and was the rock her side needed. She repelled everything her foes threw at her, especially Jessica Daldy.
Jessica Daldy (University)
Daldy delivered the goods at the bowling crease (4-15) and then tried her best scoring 11 runs in the batting chase.
She was a one-girl wrecking crew in the field taking four successive wickets to skiddle four of the Coast’s middle order batters for the loss of just eight runs.
A first grade call-up beckons.
Kyrna Crump (University)
The University all-rounder chipped in a team-high 37 runs in pursuit of the Coast score and before that bowled well for 1-15 (four overs).
Billie Ryan, Finley Hoger (Valley)
It was the Ryan and Hoger show again on Sunday. Who is surprised?
The prime moving Valley bowlers maintained their fantastic form with the ball by chipping in a combined six wickets.
Hoger handled the Ipswich top order and Ryan the middle order as the Valley duo spearheaded a brilliant bowling effort which had the Hornets all out for just 76 runs.
Ipswich No. 4 bat Emma Jones (34, 37 balls) was excellent returning serve in this clash.
Chelsea Dale (Valley)
Before Ryan and Hoger had their say in match No. 2, opening bowler Chelsea Dale sent a tremor through the University batting order with a fantastic spell to begin proceedings in game one.
Dale snared four wickets against UQ and had a big say in restricting the flow of runs.
The trusty Eleanor Swanepoel, who took a catch in the field and claimed a wicket, guided Valley to victory with an unbeaten 27 from 18 deliveries.
Melissa Lewis and Taylor Hamblin (Norths)
The sensational Norths opening batters put on a clinic at Shaw Park to achieve a crackerjack first innings total of 197.
Melissa Lewis (69, 64 balls) and Taylor Hamblin (89 not out, 50 balls) had a first innings stand of 155 with 26 fours and a six between them setting Alan Pettigrew Oval alight.
It was a masterclass of power-hitting that followed a similar showcase of firepower in Norths’ nine-wicket win over the Gold Coast earlier in the day.
In that game, Lewis (68, 52 balls) and Hamblin (67 not out, 59 balls) were seeing it like a watermelon before taking a wicket each in defence of the total.
Lacey Kennedy (Gold Coast)
The Coast opener had big shoes to fill after Lewis and Hamblin had left their mark out in the middle.
Lacey Kennedy was all class in response, the batting ace inflicting 53 runs worth of damage in a 60-ball innings that flew the flag for the Dolphins.
Namreet Kingra (Souths)
In Souths’ first victory of the day against the Sunshine Coast, Namreet Kingra did her job, and more, snaring three wickets in a staunch defence of the 107-run total.
She had plenty of help from Eloise Sanders and Mahi Mehta (two wickets apiece).
Keely Freiberg (Ipswich)
Keely Freiberg delivered in spades to hand Ipswich a comprehensive victory to begin the day on Sunday at Wynnum-Manly.
Against the Sea Eagles, Freiberg batted freely for her unbeaten 39 (37 balls) and then flexed her muscles in the field where she ran out opener Ridhima Dhall and took two wickets with the ball – one of which was the high-class Aurelia Burgess.
Freiberg’s sister Hannah also scored 15 runs and chipped in with two wickets in the 67-run victory by the Hornets.
WOMEN’S FIRST GRADE - KATHERINE RAYMONT T20 SHIELD
Lauren Patterson (Gold Coast)
The Gold Coast No. 3 bat couldn’t get past the Gators bowlers in the second match of the day on Sunday but against the Scorchers she let rip with an unbeaten 40.
She topscored for the match and her efforts were important. The Scorchers got within five runs but ran out of time in the end.
Had Patterson not turned up, it would have been the Scorchers taking home the chocolates.
Charlotte Atkinson (University)
The prime-moving University medium-fast bowler was on one on Sunday.
She took control against Valley capturing three wickets in a nine-wicket victory and shortly after she starred again for UQ snaring three wickets against Wests.
Emma Jackson (University)
The UQ opener supplied the goods against Valley producing an unbeaten 59 off just 33 balls.
Yes 33 balls.
She whacked 10 fours and a six to grant her side a hefty early mark before the next game where she got off to a good start (15, 15 balls).
Grace Abdy (Valley)
The Valley’s girls went winless on Sunday but there were some positives. One of those was the consistency offered by No. 3 bat Grace Abdy who was on fire against UQ before being run out by Taylor Stumer.
She scored 31 from 29 in that match before scoring an unbeaten 21 in a loss against the Sea Eagles.
Hannah Tucker (Wynnum Manly)
In her return to first grade, Tucker took full advantage of her opportunity by inspiring Wynnum Manly to two victories.
In the first one over Wests, Tucker (2-11, four overs) was the pick of the bowlers. In the second win over Valley, she removed two more top order batters before scoring 24 not out from 22 balls.
Her efforts with the bat were monumental for the Sea Eagles who needed her to get over the hump and get home.
They were successful chasing down 111 runs.
Caitlin King (Wynnum Manly)
Playing an equally impressive part in the Sea Eagles’ epic victories was No. 3 bat Caitlin King.
King (41 not out, 36 balls) was the top scorer in her team’s thwarting of Wests where she smacked six fours.
Then, against Valley, she played a key role in pursuit of the 110-run total.
She scored 24 from 19 balls.
Lilli Hamilton (Wests)
The emergence of elite all-rounder Lilli Hamilton continued at breakneck speed on Sunday when the Toowoomba product toiled hard for Wests with both bat and ball.
In the first game of the day it was business as usual for Hamilton who scored her 20 at run-a-ball pace. She (0-16) challenged hard at the bowling crease as well.
Against UQ, Hamilton had her say again with a team-high 44 (46 balls) that complimented the work of Trinity Doyle (30, 22 balls), Sophie Whittaker (33 not out) and Abbie Trevethan (22, 21 balls).
Again Hamilton threatened with the ball (1-20) to fend off her UQ rivals at Yoku road and ensure Wests (fourth, 2-2) a place in the top four.
MEN’S SECOND GRADE - ALLAN PETTIGREW
Emmaus Benn (Gold Coast)
Benn (145) drove his side forward with a captivating innings.
He went at a run-a-ball, with 23 boundaries scorching across Pippen Oval while a six was also signalled by the umpires.
It was the batting performance of the round by any second grade batsman.
Sohaan Sharma (Western Suburbs)
Sharma made the most of hot, dry conditions to amass 131 from 181 balls as his team spent almost 100 overs at the crease.
An Ipswich Grammar School student, Sharma batted at No. 3, adding 193 with Joshua Del Simone (84).
The pair basically batted Ipswich’ bowlers into the ground.
Ben Gear (Sunshine Coast)
The Scorchers’ veteran of 14 years produced a near round high 138 as the Sunshine Coast tried to work their way into a winning position.
A Sunshine Coast representative since breaking into the Scorchers’ under 18s in 2010, Gympie product Gear batted for 201 with six sixes.
Tighe Morris and Harry Frost (Valley)
Valley were Buckley’s hope of surpassing University’s mountainous 377, but young Morris - a splendid slow bowling all-rounder from Churchie - and Terrace product Harry Frost showed plenty of fight.
Morris faced 140 balls for his 62, while Frost cemented the tail together with a defiant 47 not out (110 balls).
Chris Lloyd (Wynnum Manly)
One of Wynnum’s greatest ever bowlers, veteran Chris Lloyd claimed eight wickets as the Sea Eagles went within the cusp of snaring an outright win over Sandgate Redcliffe.
He backed up his first innings five wicket haul with another 3-34, but gutsy Gators’ tailender Christopher Abbey held Wynnum at arm's length. Lloyd, a club legend, is eyeing 400 grade wickets.
Arlen Wells-Peris and Thisaja Samarawickrama (South Brisbane)
Well, well, well - look who popped up to spearhead the Northern Suburbs’ defence of 298.
These ageless veterans claimed four wickets each, helping clip the heels of the Norths’ batsmen who at one stage could see first innings points when they turned for home at 4-195. Wells-Peris bowled 27 overs for a return of 4-108, while Samarawickrama took 4-55 (17 overs).
MEN’S THIRD GRADE - NORM McMAHON SHIELD
Miron Nanayakkarawasam (Norths)
In a match dominated by the ball, Miron Nanayakkarawasam was aggressive in posting a momentum shifting 60 (58 balls).
The former BSHS First XI player hit eight fours and a six to give his side a chance of outright victory.
Norths bowler Noah Vojinov then claimed 4-36, but Gold Coast rookie Jason Campese (45 not out, 49 balls), spoiled a pending party for Norths with a second innings late rally.
Theodore Bacalakis (University)
Terrace all-rounder Theodore Bacalakis (3-35) took three middle order wickets to sufficiently erode the Redlands’ innings and help his side to a comfortable first innings win.
This was despite a gutsy 29 (99 balls) from the Tigers’ Trent Conwell who held Uni’s urgent push for wickets.
Rushi Kakkad (Wests)
Ipswich Grammar School student Rushi Kakkad was a batting hero with 51 not out) 72 balls) after Danny Young (72, 111 balls) had laid foundations at the top of the order.
Wests were on the slide when Kakkad backed his skills to launch into his innings, on the way encouraging Mitchell Pearce (four not out, 25 balls) over the finish line with him.
Special mention for Sandgate Redcliffe’s Jackson Pavey (4-70) who kept the wickets coming.
Michael Robinson (Toombul)
Robinson bucked the trend of the match to explode to 64 not out (79 balls) which propelled the Bulls’ beyond the grasp of a South Brisbane side hoping to turn a small first innings deficit into an outright win.
Robinson ended those hopes by swinging his way to a half century which included five fours and four sixes.
Liam Carter (Wynnum Manly)
He is no stranger to making big scores, and Carter notched another milestone in his belt with a third grade ton (108 not out).
An Iona College First XI star, Carter dominated the ball as only he can, dominating his team’s 3-157.
Aadi Mahata (Wynnum Manly)
Mahata bowled the Sea Eagles to a stirring, exciting win with a haul of 5-47 (17 overs). The Sea Eagles were defending just 164, but took the top order apart before Jon Shaw snared rtwo late wickets to confirm victory.
This was despite a gallant rally at the death by St Laurence’s Nicholas Parrott (28) which almost got Valley home.
Originally published as Queensland Premier Cricket: The brightest sparks from last round which included Uni, Norths’ premierships
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