QCCA NORTH V SOUTH U18
28, 29, 30 September 2021
Limestone Park, Ipswich
GAME ONE. North v South 28 September 2021
In overcast conditions at Limestone Park, SQ skipper, Joshua Dey, decided to have a bowl and after four overs, that decision appeared a good one with both openers back in the pavilion; Luke Poeppmann and Matthew Jackson picking up a wicket each and Ben Broucherie a catch. Finn Churchward and Ben Zurvas then set about restoring some order in 45 run partnership over 17 overs before Zurvas met his downfall; caught by Joe Madden from the bowling of Harry Meiklejohn.
That was the end of any joy for SQ as Luke Peitzner joined Churchward and the pair systematically took the SQ attack apart in an unbeaten 4th wicket partnership of 151 from 178 balls. Peitzner finished on 102 from 103 balls, bringing up his century with a six off the last ball of the innings. Churchward played an excellent support role finishing with 71.
The chase began disastrously for SQ. Four wickets fell before the first drinks break and half of the 18 overs bowled were maidens. Peitzner backed up from his unbeaten hundred to open the bowling and claim the first wicket and a catch. Sam Guerin picked up two catches in the slips and Ben Zurvas also nabbed one in the cordon. Ryan McCarron picked up two of the wickets and Peitzner’s fellow opening bowler Jarrod Edmondson, the other. 4/27 became 5/33 shortly after drinks, when wicketkeeper Leuan Harker, snapped up a catch off spinner, Stirling Smith.
Throughout the NQ onslaught, SQ No. 3, Nick Strong, was patiently biding his time. Having faced 23 balls before getting off the mark with a six over mid-wicket, Strong gathered runs as his teammates fell around him. By the time the 5th wicket fell, Strong had compiled 20 of his team’s 33 runs. Strong found a willing partner in Dasham Grewal and together the pair added 55 before Grewal’s foot left the ground and Harker claimed his second victim, a stumping off Smith.
Sam Healy then partnered Strong in an explosive 7th wicket partnership. The pair added 51 in the next 6 overs to the second drinks break and a further 22 in the two overs after. The required run-rate had been brought down to a manageable five an over and the field scattered. A potential miracle loomed, but, ah, the cricket gods. First innings heroes, Churchward and Peitzner, took catches to dismiss first Healy, then Strong and the innings fizzled to a close at 159; 46 runs adrift. Strong’s 86 from 96 balls was an innings of great class; manipulating the field with judiciously-placed strokes. Ryan McCarron bowled very accurately to pick up 4/24 from 7 overs.
A most enjoyable match!
