Premier Cricket Heating Up

In spite of the inclement weather last week, some terrific cricket was still played around the grounds. With all three men’s First Grade fixtures having a first innings result in week one, week two loomed as a big opportunity to claim maximum points.

It was a dramatic finish at the Gold Coast as Sandgate-Redcliffe almost managed to pull of the rare reverse outright. After resuming 2/22, Sandgate-Redcliffe were floundering at 5/74.

However, the match turned as highly touted youngster Steve Hogan (68 off 149) and Caden Sweeney (67 off 98) combined to steer their side from 6/116 to 7/244. Gold Coast all rounder Zac McDermott (6/44) took four of the last five wickets to quickly wrap up the Gators for 265.

Left with 18 overs to chase 214, the Gold Coast chose to have a crack. Ashton Gumm (38 off 20) and Callum Taylor (41 off 26) gave the Dolphins a chance at securing the unlikely run chase, until the Gators were able to break momentum and see wickets fall.

Gold Coast finished their innings 8/184, both sides battling hard until the final ball.

University of Queensland continued their second innings against Ipswich 1/38. Bryce Street (81 off 193) continued to find form, before Alecz Day (52 off 34) went into white ball mode and sent three balls over the rope.

University decladed 7/278, Ipswich needing 134 to win in 13 overs.

It was all then one way traffic for Ipswich keeper Jake Cross (81 off 34), who blasted 7 maximums in his whirlwind innings. Ipswich were able to chase the score for the loss of only 3 wickets and with a full two overs to spare. The outright win further asserts their position atop the ladder.

At Ian Healy Oval, Valley continued batting after securing first innings points last week. Queensland 2^nd XI player Dylan McLachlan (53 off 107) spent some time at the crease before Valley were eventually dismissed for 318. Norths seamer Noah McFadyen (5/113) was unwavering in his efforts, sending down 42 overs out of the 101 bowled.

Norths batted through the remainder of the day, Joe Burns (65* off 132) top scoring as they finished 5/160.

The other three men’s first grade fixtures were abandoned.

The Katherine Raymont Shield also had one match abandoned, but the games that went ahead produced some hard-fought outcomes.

Queensland Fire allrounder Charli Knott (pictured) was at her multi-talented best, hitting 83 and taking 4-28 as UQ (6-322) defeated Sunshine Coast (103). 

WBBL Heat and Queensland Fire captain Jess Jonassen was also a match-winner for Valley, hitting 69no from 52 balls and returning miserly figures of 0-11 from 10 overs as Valley (2-129) defeated Gold Coast (9-128).

Queensland duo Courtney Sippel and Grace Parsons combined for Wests to overcome Wynnum-Manly. Sippel, selected in the Governor-General's XI to play South Africa, took 3-17 from eight overs, while Parsons snapped up 4-19 from eight overs as well.

TOTW 20^th & 21^st

1. Charli Knott, 83 (87) & 4/28 (8.4), University of Queensland, Womens 1^st Grade
2. Bryce Street, 81 (193), University of Queensland, Mens 1^st Grade
3. Jess Jonassen, 69* (52) & 0/11 (10.0), Valley, Womens 1^st Grade
4. Anlo van Deventer, 70 (71), University of Queensland, Womens 1^st Grade
5. Jake Cross, 81 (34), Ipswich, Mens 1^st Grade
6. Steven Hogan, 68 (149), Sandgate-Redcliffe, Mens 1^st Grade
7. Courtney Sippel, 3/17 (8.0),  Western Suburbs, Womens 1^st Grade
8. Grace Parsons, 4/19 (8.0), Western Suburbs, Womens 1^st Grade
9. Noah McFayden, 5/113 (42.0) Northern Suburbs, Mens 1^st Grade
10. Zak McDermott, 6/44 (22.2), Gold Coast, Mens 1^st Grade
11. Jessica Daldy, 4/32 (9.0), University of Queensland, Womens 1^st Grade