BEST MOMENTS: Unforgettable efforts from the GPS First XI cricket season
What were the magic moments of the GPS First XI cricket season that were etched into the history books? Here are more than 10 unforgettable efforts that will live on past the final round this weekend.
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The wondrous GPS First XI competition will reach its climax on Saturday and what better way to reflect on a bumper season than highlight the moments that mattered.
There were groundbreaking centuries, superb bowling performances and match-defining partnerships scattered across a riveting nine game season which unearthed a number of promising young cricketers who are sure to have bright futures in the game.
As champion TSS coach Ross Wallace closes in on a spectacular 10th premiership in 14 years of GPS cricket, we remember the moments that mattered in season 2024.
GPS CRICKET ROUND 8 TEAM OF THE WEEK
MAGIC MOMENTS
Charlie Bignall and Gurnoor Singh Randhawa (Toowoomba Grammar)
No.3 bat Bignall and all-rounder Randhawa started the season in brilliant style for Toowoomba.
In a first round win, Bignell blasted his way to a match-high 64 before Randhawa, after scoring 16, took 3-29 off 10 overs to take down BSHS.
Ishaan Sandhu and Jacob Bath (The Southport School)
The elite TSS top order batters made a statement in a dominant 181 win over Gregory Terrace in the first round to stake early claim for the premiership.
The superb Sandhu (82, 93 balls) and brilliant Bath (70, 79 balls) combined for 110 as the TSS juggernaut flexed their muscles on the Village Green.
It was some batting display.
Luke Harper (Ipswich Grammar)
Harper had his moment in the first round of the season. In a stunning 103 run win over Nudgee, at home, Harper harpooned five rival batsmen on his way to a five wicket haul.
He leaked just 22 runs in 10 overs as Ipswich Grammar roared to a comprehensive victory.
Ashton Clark (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Young slow bowler Clark had one of the performances of the season in a thrilling round two victory over BSHS.
The opposition was tracking well to chase down 177 until Clark came to the fore and snared six wickets.
Yes six wickets.
He was simply incredible taking wicket, after wicket, after wicket, as the BSHS batters succumbed to a pressure cooker atmosphere at Oakman Park.
Elliot Quinn and Samuel Jones (Gregory Terrace)
In another round two spectacle, No.11 batter Quinn defied all odds to get Gregory Terrace a draw.
Churchie posted 151, on the back of a Connor Rudman masterclass (75), before sharp bowling by Angus Storen saw Churchie swiftly take the upper hand.
But as Churchie closed in on victory, Quinn was a hero in waiting.
When he arrived at the middle late in the game, Churchie were all over Gregrory Terrace and the game looked all but over for the home side.
However, facing 35 balls for an unbeaten 14, Quinn combined for a crucial 39 with game-saver Samuel Jones (22) to deny Chuchie victory and snare a draw.
Jaxson Davies (The Southport School)
Centuries do not come often in GPS cricket so when they do come, you know it took a serious effort.
No.4 batter Davies delivered a first-class century in round two when he scored 101 off just 62 balls.
The youngster smashed seven fours and eight sixes in an absolute clinic on Ross Oval.
Riley Johnson (The Southport School)
A highlight of round three action was the TSS skipper’s knock of 90 in a mouth-watering clash against Towoomba Grammar.
No.5 batter Johnson came in with his team 3-27 and when he was dismissed they were at a much more comfortable position of 7-180.
TGS bowling ace Dominic Black denied him a treasured GPS century but in the end Johnsons 90 proved monumental in a game where TGS were ever so close to winning.
Sohaan Sharma (Ipswich Grammar)
Sharma was the name on everyone’s lips in round four of the competition.
After a slow start to the season, Sharma put on a show at home when posting a score of 103 off just 88 deliveries.
The Year 11 student tonked 11 fours and five sixes to etch his name in the school’s rich cricketing history.
Dushyant Thaman (The Southport School)
Stellar performances came from just about everyone across the season for TSS and round four was Thaman’s time to shine.
The nifty left arm orthodox spinner claimed six scalps in an enthralling match against BBC which went down to the wire.
He finished with figures of 6-28 and was key in securing a win for TSS.
In that game, Davies’ 64, and Gabriel Leitch’s unbeaten 51 also helped clinch the result for TSS.
Jacob Bath (The Southport School)
Following a score of 82 (75 balls) the week prior, influential all-rounder Bath brought his best for TSS’s round six bout with Ipswich Grammar.
In what was the biggest match of the season for both sides, Bath scored 38 at No.3 before delivering three wickets.
Bath dismissed the first three batters of the innings and his opening spell was something out of a fairytale. At least for TSS supporters.
Jettison Emmerson (Ipswich Grammar)
While there were a handful of half centuries and four wicket hauls we don’t recognise in this story, Emmerson’s round seven performance with the ball where he took three timely wickets just had to be highlighted.
Ipswich Grammar posted 207 runs and Churchie were well on their way before Emmerson (10-2-33-3) picked up three consecutive poles to flip the game on its head.
Emmerson’s timely intervention late in the game ensured Ipswich Grammar remained in premiership contention.
IGS ended up winning by five runs.
Sohaan Sharma (Ipswich Grammar)
Sharma closed in on his second century of the season last weekend with a score of 91 coming in a convincing 134 run victory over Brisbane Grammar.
Opening the batting, Sharma took it to the opposition’s new ball bowlers and hit five fours and six sixes to steer IGS to 8-266.
Originally published as BEST MOMENTS: Unforgettable efforts from the GPS First XI cricket season
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