Our U16 Sunshine Coast side went into the final of the inaugural U16 QJC ‘George Watkin Cup’ as underdogs, having lost to MSW during the 5 round competition. Having won the toss and electing to bat on a fast wicket, our Coast lads got off to a nervous start being 3 for 51 off 21 overs at the first drinks break but the momentum quickly shifted during the 2nd session. After some inspirational words from ‘super coach’ Murray Gordan, at the break, Nate Thompson & Kaiden Jarrett batted with poise and maturity to put on a batting masterclass during the middle session taking the score to 3 for 151 at the 40 over mark when the 2nd drinks were taken. When Nate finally departed for 51 the boys had put on a remarkable 145 4th wicket stand. Kaiden went on to bring up his 2nd hundred of the competition finishing with 103 allowing the team to post a great total of 213 from their 50 overs.
The boys came to the break buzzing with confidence knowing that they had the bowling cartel to do some damage! MSW were always going to have a tough time against the Sunshine Coast attack, particularly on a track that provided excitement for the quicks! With the ‘Ben Gordon express’ at one end and the very crafty left arm Aiden Cushan opening at the other end the MSW batting line up could be excused for thinking that it might be best to see the opening quicks off and then relax with the Sunshine Coast change bowlers! However when you have the towering quick that is Will Noffke, the left arm speedster in Zaden Melverton and the very relaxed yet powerful quick in Cooper Vanderbyl there was going to be no relaxing on this particular day for the MSW batting line up.
The boys came to the break buzzing with confidence knowing that they had the bowling cartel to do some damage! MSW were always going to have a tough time against the Sunshine Coast attack, particularly on a track that provided excitement for the quicks! With the ‘Ben Gordon express’ at one end and the very crafty left arm Aiden Cushan opening at the other end the MSW batting line up could be excused for thinking that it might be best to see the opening quicks off and then relax with the Sunshine Coast change bowlers! However when you have the towering quick that is Will Noffke, the left arm speedster in Zaden Melverton and the very relaxed yet powerful quick in Cooper Vanderbyl there was going to be no relaxing on this particular day for the MSW batting line up.
Throw in the very clever leg spin bowling of Will Dodunski, there was nowhere to hide for MSW with Sunshine Coast rolling MSW for 84 in the Grand Final to claim the title!
With talent that has been seen in this year’s U17 Lords Taverners & U16 QJC squads the future of Sunshine Coast Cricket is very bright!
