Day 1

The boys were excited and nervous to start the tournament against MSW. We were fortunate enough to have ex QLD Bulls player Luke Feldman attend and speak to the boys before the start, helps when his dad is the manager, thanks Bill.

We lost the toss and were sent into bat. Max and Lewis opened the batting and started well putting on a 26 run partnership. We batted really well to about the 20 over mark where we were 3 for 74. Unfortunately before our 1st batting quarter was finished we lost 4 wickets for 5 runs ending the 25 overs at 7 for 86. Rayan played beautifully and got to retirement, his final score was 39.

We started our bowling with Matt and Tristan getting us off to a great start. Matt got a wicket in his first over and bowled well all day. He finished with figures of 3 for 20 from 7 overs. Once again when we looked to be on top we werent able to keep the pressure on and we didnt bowl to our plans. Sonny came on and helped us fight back with a fantastic 2 for 15 from 7 overs. At the end of MSW first 25 overs they were 4 for 106 however we put down 5 x catches.

We werent able to put in batting partnerships in our second turn at bat and was bowled out for 107.

The boys attitude was fantastic in the last 25 overs never giving up even though the game was lost. Tristan and Matt continued to bowl well and took 3 early wickets (Matt was on a hat trick). Drop chances again was a feature which pushed the MSW total higher then we would have liked.

Not the win we wanted but really proud of the effort from all the boys.

Day 2

Today we played Logan Districts. We won the toss and decided to have a bowl. Once again our opening bowlers bowled beautifully and got us off to a great start. Unlike the 1st game we were able to keep the bowling tight and we restricted Logan to 3 for 66 off their 25 overs.

We went out to bat and our openers and top 4 got us off to a great start again with seeing off the new ball and Henry getting to a 40 ball retirement. However like yesterday we had a middle order collapse losing 5 for 13 from 6 overs. This meant Will and Rayan came to the crease to see off the last few overs with no more damage. At the end after a promising start we finished our first 25 overs 6 for 55.

The team, still beliving we were in the game, bowled and fielded brilliantly. Once again the openers Matt and Tristan got us off to the perfect start 3 for 5 off their 6 over together including a terrific run out from Tristan. The rest of our bowlers supported our openers and we were able to take all 8 wickets in the final 25 overs to bowl them out for 117. All the bowlers were terrific but a few notable mentions are Matt 3 for 14 off 7. Tristan 1 for 16 off 7. Sonny 1 for 17 off 7. Adam 0 for 7 off 7.

This left a tricky 62 to get off 25 overs with only 5 wickets left. Rayan and Will continued and played their roles perfectly both retiring with Rayan hitting 26 not out. This left Adam (17 runs including retirement) and Max (15) needing around 30 from 15 overs which they guided us home with plenty of overs left. Henry was able to come back and hit a 23 not out. In the end our batting in the final 25 overs saw us score 1 for 115 to leave us with a final total of 7 for 170.

I really could have mentioned every single player as it was a true team effort. The never say die attitude in both games is something that both Bill and I are extremely proud of. To come from behind at the half way mark as far as we did was impressive to say the least.

Day 3

We took on DDSWQ today. We lost the toss and fielded first. Like the first 3 x days our opening bowlers bowled great areas and restricted DDSWQ. Unfortunately we wernt able to bowl to our plans after the drinks break and they got away from us finishing 3 for 124 off their 25 overs. Our fielding also wasnt up to standard with 4 x dropped catches. A couple of them were to batters early in their innings and who went on to hit a 70 and 60.

Once again our opening batting pair Nate and Will did a great job seeing off the new ball. We lost a couple of wickets then Rayan and Archie came together. Rayan, as per the first 2 x days looked like he was going to dominate until he got run out for 15 off 7 balls. Once again we had a middle order collapse and finished with 6 for 92 from our 25 overs. Archie did a fantastic job getting to retirement.

Once again our bowlers needed to fire and once again they delivered. Off the first 11 overs after the break we had taken 6 for 11. DDSWQ total now was 9 for 135. This was largely due to Tristan 2 for 5 off 7 overs. Matt 2 for 10 off 7 overs and Lewis 4 for 16 off 6 overs. From here the 2 x retired batsman we dropped a few time came in and finished off the innings. We bowled them out for 208. Dropped catches in the 2nd 25 overs caused us problems.

Before we started our batting we faced an even tougher challenge with Max, who injured his finger in the field, was unable to bat. Our little champion toughed it out for many overs in the field by putting his body on the line but needed to come off. Scans thankfully showed no break but he won’t be able to continue for the final 2 x days.

Batting, with only 4 x wickets left and chasing 117 runs we started fantastic with Henry and Blake. They put the loose balls away and kept the run rate in check. Henry was able to get to retirement. We had some cameos from Tristan and Matt but we were down to our final wicket with approx 50 runs to get off the final 10. Our 2 x retired batsman together putting on a batting clinic pushing singles and despatching the bad balls away. In the end we were able to get it down to 10 runs to win from the final 5 balls when Archie got bowled, both Henry and Archie finishing with 40. The commitment once again and never giving up was something we as the coaching staff and the parents were all proud of.

Day 4

We played Brisbane North Blue, we won the toss and decided to bowl.

First 25 overs we started well again with our opening bowlers however dropped chances were unfortunately the main issue with 12 going down throughout the game. After 25 overs Brisbane North were 3 for 97.

We batted and got off to a shaky start and soon we were 4 for 25 off 8 overs. Rayan and Adam then rebuilt the innings both retiring before Caleb and Henry came in to play out the remaining first 25 overs. At lunch we were 4 for 86.

We were very confident when we went out to bowl again and we had Brisbane North 8 for 130 including a direct one stump direct hit from Henry. After this we let Brisbane off the hook and they finished with 10 for 231.

Batting in our second 25 overs we weren’t able to stay with the run rate and were bowled out for 143.

Notable performance were:
Adam with 2 for 14 off 7 and 37 not out with the bat.
Rayan another 40
Matt 1 for 25 off 7
Lewis 3 for 43 off 7

Not the day we were hoping but getting ready for Brisbane North again hoping to finish strong.

Day 5

Played Brisbane North Maroon and loss the toss so we were fielding.

Unfortunately we weren’t consistent today with our bowling other then Matt Wheeler again finished with 2 for 19 off his 6 overs. Brisbane North hit 4 for 114 off the first 20 overs.

Batting we changed our plan and sent Henry with Archie out. We got off to a good start and finished the 20 overs 3 for 74. Archie once again was able to get to retirement.

We asked for 1 x big effort again from our bowlers and they tried but werent able to deliver today. Fielding improved with some good outfield catches today. Brisbane north finished 9 for 237 off their 40 overs. Caleb Davis, who came in for Max due to injury, took a wicket and a nice catch in close.

The boys never gave up and went out attacking with some great batting by Nate 23 and Matt Wheeler, officially part of the fast bowling cartel with Tristan and Lewis, made 13 retired. Batter of the day however was Rayan who after retirement at 37 came in late to try and score his 1st ever 50 with 2 x overs to go. After smashing a few boudaries he needed 2 runs off 2 x balls to reach the milestone. Rayan hit a ball over short fine leg for an easy 2 x runs to get there however if you know Rayan that wasn’t entertaining enough. Turning for the second he slipped over and nearly got himself run out but made it in the end (video to come). Rayan got out off the final ball but the boys ran on and tackled him to the ground in celebration. I don’t believe I have laughed so hard in those last 2 x overs watching Rayan reach his 50.

The boys had a fantastic week and I will be interested in watching these kids develop now when they are back at club land. I really enjoyed the week with such a fantastic group. The effort they put in at all times was something to be proud of and they represented the Scorchers well. A special mention also needs to go to Jackson Jennings and Jasper Reeves who were the trainers for the week. Received a lot of positive feedback from the parents who said the boys really enjoyed them being around and helping them out.

Notable overall performance for the week was Matt – 11 wickets (second in the comp and would have had the most if we caught better) at an average of 8.

Rayan 168 runs (second in the comp) at an average of 42.