Race to lock in one-day finals spots

A double-header weekend will all but complete the one-day rounds of the SCCA Division 1 competition on wickets awakened by a stormy week

The Swans will host Glasshouse this Saturday. Pictured is Maroochydore’s Callum Stitt. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

A double-header weekend will all but complete the one-day rounds of the SCCA Division 1 competition on wickets awakened by a stormy week, adding batting uncertainty to the mix.

The introduction of the T20 matches as part of the premiership proper added an extra three days to a finite competition time, hence the Sunday inclusion.

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Only one limited overs round will remain after the weekend, with the possibility of double winning points setting up finals positions for successful sides.

Glasshouse batsman Jeremy Schultz.

There are no semi-finals for the one-day trophy, and with Caboolture, Maroochydore and Glasshouse handy leaders, the clash between the Swans and the Rangers at Kev Hackney Oval is a must-win for each.

Caboolture has a rails run, meeting Nambour, Coolum and Tewantin-Noosa, with just a single win each, on the way home.

Added life to the Maroochydore wicket may test the home batsmen, holding the lowest run aggregate of the field, a figure distorted by some easy run-chases.

Also in the mix is the Rangers’ opening bowler Steve Heise, who would have been praying for some rain to display his ball-movement magic and maintain his side’s lowest runs-against rating.

Neither list can boast much batting prowess in difficult circumstances as scores of 94 and 98 twelve months ago in similar conditions at this ground demonstrated, and the Swans young bowlers have displayed remarkable resilience, restricting runs and applying pressure to stay near the top.

Maroochydore’s Callum Stitt. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

On a steamy day, matchwinners like Heise, Dan Cahill, Luke McInnes and Callum Stitt can tip the scales, backed by the solidarity of captains Blaine Schloss and visiting Jeremy Schultz.

The match is also young talent time, with the likes of Joel Owen, Jett Taylor, Ricky Sawyer, Leon Manuel, Mat Olsen, Will Finch, Matt Watson and Zane Gilder some of the bright futures for these clubs.

Gympie has an outside chance of a finals berth, but must win both rounds, starting with Caloundra on Saturday then Glasshouse Sunday.

Yet even two wins will need the Swans and Rangers to lose two out of three, and the Gold to win all three.

Tewantin is in the same boat, with unreliable batting proving too much for an excellent attack at times.

Wins against Coolum and Caloundra would not surprise, though upsets would not either, and a last round clash with Caboolture at Grant Road is never the way to easily clinch a spot.

Nambour seems to be getting its batting mojo together, which will be needed with contests against Caboolture, Maroochydore and Gympie to finish the rounds.

The chance to open the next format with an established and confident top order will be new for skipper Steve Ledger, making good performances in the middle vital for another inexperienced eleven.

Coolum lose much with Sam Curtis unavailable for possibly another month and Rory Cowling off to the Scorchers, though giving the chance for others to step up.

Only Stephan Scheepers is near the top twenty run scorers, and if a good call against the Thunder sets up a chance, the batting must hold together for the results to follow.

ONE DAY POINTS: Caboolture 25, Glasshouse 24, Maroochydore 20, Gympie 12, Nambour 8, Coolum 7, Tewantin 7, Caloundra 7.

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