Women's Semi Finals deliver as Men's final round concludes

Women's

The road to the championship has certainly begun as University of Queensland came up against Western Suburbs in the semi final of the Katherine Raymont Shield. Rivals for many years now once again prove close contenders. The two sides played off for the Grand Final position this Sunday against a strong Sandgate Gators outfit. In the Jodie Purves Shield (second grade) semi finals, Valleys took on Northern Suburbs while University of Queensland played South Brisbane.

UQ took on Western Suburbs at WEP Harris Oval as the Bulldogs elected to bat first. With the WNCL final running similtaneously, player selection was effected for both sides although there was certainly not a lack of quality for either team. Uni were off to a strong start as competition star Ruby Strange was dismissed early with a fantastic in-swinging delivery. Both opening bowlers showed form for the Bookworms as Lucy Williams (2/20 off 10) and Charlotte Atkinson (1/32 off 6) restricted runs. English import, Cordelia Griffiths certainly got away as the London Spirit batter smashed 85 (80). This included 8 fours and 2 sixes. Spinners, Claire Molloy (2/27 off 10) and Jess Daldy (2/42) kept both line and length tight throughout the middle session. Contributions from Doyle (24), Sonter (29) and Trevethan (22*) guided Wests to 7/213, what appeared to be a below par score on the wicket.

Western Suburbs was on top throughout the entirety of the second innings. Beginning strongly, Ayaka Stafford once again contributed with the ball taking 4/27. Moving the young leg-spinner into the opening position in the bowling line up has been a great strategic decision. With captain Ruby Strange coming off injury, this did not stop her contribution taking the wickets of Jackson and Stumer. The Bookworms struggled to keep the runs ticking over as wickets began to fall in clumps. The age old saying, "runs on the board in a final" proved true for Wests as UQ were bowled out for only 95 runs. With Western Suburbs claiming a 118 run victory, the Bulldogs will be sure to take this form into this weeks final at Allan Border Field.

In the Jodie Purves Shield, a top of the table Valleys DCC came up against Northern Suburbs. It was no surprise when Norths captain Melissa Lewis elected to bat first at Peter Easton Oval. Lewis has finished the season as the overall leading runscorer, hitting 641 at an average of 29.14. Opener Taylor Hamblin played an important innings of 33 (56) supported by Bridie Swain's 22 (35). After losing some quick wickets, Valleys looked in a comfortable position before Shelly-Louise Chattin came to the crease. Batting through the majority of the innings, Chattin hit an unbeaten 55* (42) to bring Northern Suburbs to 10/163. Alyssa Tinetti's 4/38 was also an honourable mention as Norths were bowled out for 163.

Valleys had a slow start but kept ticking the score over, especially when Eleanor Swanepoel began her innings. The captain smashed 49 off 54 deliveries including 5 fours. After Swanepoel was dismissed the collapse began as Olivia Nightingale picked up an impressive 4/27 off 8. Valleys were bowled out for 132 falling 31 runs short of the target as Northern Suburbs move on the the grand final.

The final fixture for the weekend saw University of Queensland take on South Brisbane in the Jodie Purves Shield. For the first time in this finals series, UQ sent their opposition in to bat. The Bookworms bowling attack tied down Souths from the first over. Struggling to hit more then 3 runs per over across the whole innings was due to very tight bowling from Mitchell (2/14 off 6), Rathamel (2/16 off 5), and Crump (3/16 off 8 including 3 maidens). Top scores for Souths included Janithi Dissanayake's 34 (70) and Lucinda Hillier's 28 (65) as South made 9/114 off their 40 overs.

UQ approached their innings with a more atttacking mindset as opener Emily Clark smashed 31 off just 45 deliveries. Number 3 batter, Bree Craven contributed with 29 off 38 as the Bookworms started strongly. An economical spell from Pari More (1/15 off 8) was not enough to stop UQ as they chased the total with 8 overs remaining. University of Queensland will take on Northern Suburbs next Sunday at Wep Harris Oval in the final match of the season.

Men's

With all play cancelled this coming weekend due to Cyclone Alfred, the past weekend finished as the last day of the regular Men's season. Congratulations to Men's First Grade minor premiers Toombul, who finished just ahead of the second placed Sunshine Coast.

Despite only one day’s play and all games finishing as draws, the final round still saw plenty of fantastic cricket. Ipswich continued their strong form late in the season, locking in fourth on the ladder with arguably their best batting performance so far.

The Hornets batted first against Redlands on Peter Burge Oval as former Peter Burge Medallist Harry Wood (151 off 191) led his side from the front with his first century for the season. Wood and Harry Sheppard (79 off 127) were relentless against the Tigers bowlers and pushed Ipswich to a massive 8/381. James Pullar (4/110) and Bailey Stewart (2/68) were amongst the wickets for Redlands.

Norths and Wests played out a finals like battle in what shaped up as a quarter final scenario for both sides. Batting first, Norths were 0/53 before quickly losing 6/39 thanks to opening bowlers Tom Whitney (2/38) and Darcy Murphy (4/50). The fall of wickets saw the intensity of the match quickly escalate, both sides recognising their season was on the line. Rav Srivastava (53 off 100) and Ryan Walker (30 off 52) steadied the innings, before spinner Angus Tolhurst (3/32) was able to wrap up the tail and leave Norths all out 204.

With 22 overs remaining in the day, both sides left it all on the field in the final session. Wests batters played aggressively looking make a dent in the score. However, it was not as effective as Wests would have liked. Norths bowlers Connor Carroll (3/26) and Sam Neale (3/30) were able to hold their nerve and lean on their white ball skillset. Wests finished 6/90 at stumps, setting up what would have been a thrilling final day of the regular season. The draw leaves Norths third on the ladder and locked in to play the Scorchers next weekend.

Ladder leaders Toombul had a tough day against a star studded Gold Coast outfit, which featured Australian stars Ben McDermott, Michael Neser and Xavier Bartlett. Dolphins openers Ashton Gumm (75 off 155) and Lachlan Crump (57 off 93) started strongly, before Ben McDermott (31 off 65) started to look set. McDermott’s wicket left the Dolphins 3/176.

Toombul’s spin duo Jack Balkin (2/29) and Preston White (3/92) then picked up another two quick wickets, Dolphins 5/180. Wickets continued to fall and the Gold Coast were soon 8/212 before keeper Lachy Aitken (29 off 24) pushed them to 9/240d. Fast bowler Jack Balkin (3/48) was impressive for Toombul, bowling with some serious pace.

With an hour left in the afternoon, Michael Neser then did what he does best – taking wickets in the first over of an innings. Neser (2/2) was unplayable, removing both Toby Snell (0 off 3) and Lachlan Hearne (0 off 1). Bartlett (1/8) and Sam Chapman (1/2) then joined the wicket takers to leave Toombul 4/23 at stumps.

Bryce Street (102 off 160) and Angus Lovell (104 off 169) returned to their best form at the top of the order for Uni, combining in yet another 200+ run partnership. The pair showed their immense class against the Wynnum-Manly bowlers, who toiled hard to no avail early. Wynnum then picked up some confidence as they removed Street, Lovell and Max Clayton all within 5 deliveries. Harmon Sandhu (4/93) and Harley Malpass (2/23) bowled well and kept the pressure on Uni, who eventually declared 8/307. Wynnum-Manly finished the day 3/70.

Sandgate-Redcliffe finished a tough red ball season with a really positive performance against Valley. Skipper Steven Cawood (77 off 133) and Rory Livingstone (59 off 102) led the Gators to 258 against an almost all first-class bowling attack. Mark Steketee (2/24), Tom Straker (2/46) and Jack Wildermuth (1/25) all bowled well, however it was young spinner Sam Lewis (3/95) who led the wicket takers. Jack Wildermuth (71 off 34) then went all out attack for Valley, hitting 10 sixes in his whirlwind innings. Gators captain Mitch Swepson (2/15) claimed his Queensland teammate Wildermuth hit wicket, leaving Valley 4/87 off only 11 overs at stumps.

Second place Sunshine Coast toiled hard on Norman Gray Oval against Souths. Lucky Peterson (119 off 224), Gurinder Sandhu (60 off 151) and Brandon Faber (56 off 81) played well against the quality Scorchers attack. Peterson was at his best for his second ton of the season, before falling to the competitions leading wicket taker Chad Soper (3/58). Soper’s wicket sparked a late collapse for Souths, who lost 5/6 to quickly be 9/279. Souths then declared and managed to snare a wicket before stumps were called with the Sunshine Coast 1/10. Nick Fletcher (2/40) and Ben Gordon (2/27) bowled well for the Scorchers and will take confidence heading into finals.