Extraordindary sporting dynasty continued in GPS First XI cricket
An extraordinary sporting dynasty continued when the GPS First XI cricket premiers were crowned today. All you need to know here.
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Another chapter in one of Queensland sport’s great dynasties was added today when The Southport School claimed the prestigious GPS First XI premiership with an extraordinary win over Nudgee College.
Needing to win to palm off a challenge from Toowoomba Grammar School, TSS somehow defended 107 after bowling Nudgee out for 91.
Entering the match TSS were on 43 points, meaning they had to beat arch rivals Nudgee College to ensure they won the premiership from TGS who confronted IGS. TGS (207) beat IGS (149), with Ewald Kruger grabbing his third five wicket haul of the season. But it was not enough for the boys from the Darling Downs.
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TSS, under director of cricket Steve Baker, has been the benchmark side of the GPS competition since 2010.
Indeed the college had won nine premierships in the last 13 seasons, including the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017 seasons as state champions.
TSS had a remarkable season. Coached by Brad Sperling and with Ross Wallace his assistant, The Southport School recovered from a shock loss to Gregory Terrace to make the running.
TGS, chasing its first cricket premiership since 2005, were coached by Ben Schuhmacher (head coach) and Jason Fenwick (assistant coach). Fenwick was the captain of the 2005 premiership side.
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“It had that feeling of a grand final match and Nudgee did not back down,’’ Baker said in reference to today’s nail-biting match.
“They (Nudgee) played to the last ball. Every run was hard fought,’’ TSS director of cricket Baker.
He said most satisfying was seeing a majority of his squad come through the college from Year 5.
He gave his skipper Dan Statham high praise “for his calmness’’, and coaches Brad Sperling and with Ross Wallace for the knowledge they passed onto the boys.
Regarding today’s defence of just 107, Baker said: “Runs on the board in youth cricket - you can’t underestimate that’’.
First XI TSS teams have a culture of fighting to the death, and defending seemingly the undependable, and again they prevailed.
Baker said on a slowish pitch, the key to the schools recent run of success were the spinners, batting deep and putting plenty of energy into the fielding. Farely does a TSS side drop a catch.
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Toowoomba Grammar School were brave to the core, scoring 207 against Ipswich Grammar School in Ipswich.
The TGS bowlers - Samarawickrama, Webster, Malhotra, Lachmund and Kruger - then bowled their hearts out.
After a nervous start Chace Oates (63) and Charlie Bignall (44) added 127.
The TGS bowlers then ensured there was no escape, despite the best efforts of Cody Dalziel and Dinek Kinigama who both took five wickets between them during the TGS innings.
TGS Director of Sport Steve Fryer said the coaching staff were so proud of the squad and what they achieved for the community.
“The coaching staff have been really happy with the way the boys developed from game to game,’’ Fryer said.
“They have all contributed with bat, ball and in the field. It has been a really good all around team performance.’’
In today’s match at Southport, Riley Johnson top scored for TSS with 28, adding a crucial last wicket partnership with swing bowler Waterman.
When Nudgee batted, Zac McDermott (10-1-15-2) was up to his old tricks, with support from Waterman (1-16) and Ryan Summers 2-33), while Queensland under 17 all-rounder Griff Williams claimed 3-8 and young spinner Thaman weighed in with 1-13.
Nudgee captain Jack Balkin was amazing with his three wicket performance across 10 overs and at one stage his team were in the box seat.
So successful has TSS been, that the school has produced an array of recent international, First class and BBL players.
The representative HONOUR ROLL include John Buchanan, the ex-Test coach and historic Queensland Sheffield winning coach, along with Test umpire Bruce Oxenford. Both men also played for Queensland.
Australian players: Scott Muller, Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser, Matthew Kuhnemann, Blair Marshall Tickner (New Zealand).
First class: Gilbert Gunthorpe, Lewis Cooper, John Buchanan, Stephen Monty, Muller, Bruce Oxenford, Neser, Nick Stevens, Sam Hain, Cameron Brimblecombe, Callum Taylor, Tickner, Stanlake, Kuhnemann, Jack Sinfield, Soloman Budinger, Xavier Bartlett.
In other matches today, Brisbane Boys College finished the season in style when Jamie Alexander, Blake Armstrong and James Martens claimed seven wickets between them to dismiss BSHS for 100.
Amstrong then scored 27 and Alexander 26 not out in a five wicket win.
At Churchie, Terrace and Churchie played out a thriller after Terrace skipper Tom Stubbins (51) and spinner William Ilott (5-20) spearheaded their side to victory.
Stubbins’ half century had helped his side to 7-155.
Churchie spinners Henry Hillier (2-26) and Charlie Moore (1-23) were magnificent in restricting their rivals.
When Churchie batted, gloveman Jayden Draper opened the innings, producing a match high score in a thriller.
Ultimately he was last man out for 77, run out by Illiott to Bodimeade, with Churchie (143) short of the target.
It was a tremendous end to the season, with both teams in contention until the final wicket.
What a match it was for the highly talented Ilott who finished with five wickets a the match-winning run out after Bodimeade’s work in the field.
He had to be man of the match, although Stubbins also bowled well (1-24, 10 overs) as did Theodore Bacalakis (2-22).
Originally published as Extraordindary sporting dynasty continued in GPS First XI cricket
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