SPORT Boorman-led Thunder crash through big bash

FROM taking the wooden spoon last season, the Twomey Schriber Thunder led by Atherton Agrade captain Tom Boorman have climbed their way to the top in this year’s Barrier Reef Big Bash.

The Thunder now lead this year’s ladder with a record of four wins and one loss with their only loss coming on Saturday against the Piccones Badgers.

Boorman believes the Thunder have the best and most effective bowling line-up and at one point, his five top bowlers were the five highest wicket takers in the competition.

“We have batted first in the four wins that we’ve had and our experience with the ball has meant we’ve just had that X factor,” he said.

“We seem to gel well and have a good mix of youth and experience with Matty Wilkins and Aidan Firman probably being the two most exciting young cricketers in the comp.

“Then you’ve got the likes of Michael Salerno, Wade Matthews and Jacob Stanton who have been in the competition for over 10 years and then some.”

There is only one weekend left in the regular season before the finals are due to be played over the last weekend of March and Boorman is confident his side can remain in the running however as it is a T20, it is anyone’s game.

“All four teams are strong so on any given day anyone can hurt you – if Roachie (Jake Roach) gets going there is probably no stopping him,” he said.

“Everyone has got strong players who can hurt you, so we just need to turn up on the day and our bowling attack needs to keep doing what they are doing.

“We are not relaxed in anyway and we are pumped up to continue what we have been doing and perform when it matters.”

The Thunder have one more match this weekend against Halpins Hurricanes this Saturday before the finals next weekend.

Atherton secure second shot at premiership

IN a rain plagued and reduced overs semi-final, Atherton second grade has managed to claw away a win against Norths Spicy Bite at Griffiths Park on Sunday to secure their spot in the finals and another chance at a premiership for the second year in a row.

As rain plagued the region and rained out the first semi-final against Mulgrave Kerala and Barron at Walker Road, Atherton and Norths Spicy Bite managed to get on for 25 overs each in a game that went down to the wire.

St Patty’s Day races success in Mareeba

IT was a well-attended first race meet of the season for the Mareeba Turf Club as a special Saint Patrick’s Day Races was held on Saturday as race goers enjoyed green themes and a five race card.

In the first race of the day Evil Woman trained by Ralph Baker and ridden by Nathan Day crossed the line first followed closely by Filly Slater and Bowtie Betty in second and third.

The QTIS Maiden Plate was the second race on the card and Miss Bossy trained by Janel Ryan crossed the line first, jockeyed by Rachel Shred. Bohemian Flyer and Miss Daurian were close behind.

For the Open Handicap it was Sylvester trained by Sharlee Hoffman and jockeyed by Isabella The that crossed first with love on Sunday and Macedon Flyer coming in close behind.

In the following race, Rose of Athens trained by Scott Cooper and ridden by Nathan Day finished first with Masared and I Love Rock’n’roll coming in second and third. For the final race of the day, Whitterick trained by Janel Ryan and jockeyed by Rachel Shred took first while Swanky Blue and Female Officer trailed in behind for second and third.

Mareeba bows out of finals race

MAREEBA third grade went down swinging in their semi-final against the Douglas Muddies in Port Douglas.

As Mareeba finished fourth on the table they had to face off against the number one placed Douglas Muddies on their own home turf for a shot at a premiership.

Douglas won the toss and sent Mareeba in to bat, striking early and removing opener Ross Ferguson for naught.

The wickets flowed for Douglas as they continued their assault on Mareeba’s line-up with the other opener, Grant Hanlon, proving to be Mareeba’s only saving grace after he fought his way to 60.

After Hanlon was dismissed Mareeba only managed to put on 16 more runs before they were all bowled out for a total of 110 in the 27th over.

Douglas never looked troubled in their chase with only the top four batsman needing to make their way out to the middle.

Ben Jones and Ross Ferguson were the only two bowlers to take wickets as Douglas chased down Mareeba’s score in good time, ended on 2/111 off 26.1 overs.

Mareeba’s senior cricket season has now come to an end with its’ second, third and fourth grade sides not managing to make it through to the finals.

Second win of season for Bulls

THE Mareeba Bulls premier men’s have secured their second win of the season going 4-1 up against the Stratford Dolphins at home on Saturday night.

The Bulls lead the game right through to the second half, scoring two goals before the break and two after.

The Dolphins managed to get one back roughly halfway into the second half however it was too little too late and the Bulls secured their second win.

Coach Kane Alderton said while he is happy with how the team is performing a key aspect of their game that needs to be worked on is focus.

“Last year we sort of struggled to score goals but this year we seem to be creating a lot of chances and scoring goals which is good,” he said.

“So as long as we can stop conceding silly goals and keep scoring goals and play for 90 minutes, we will be alright.

“It is just reminding the boys that it is a 90-minute game, we can’t play for 20 minutes and switch off for 20 – other teams like Edge Hill and Leichhardt will punish us if we switch off.”

The Mareeba Bulls will now travel down the hill to play against the Redlynch Strikers at Calanna Park with the game set to kick off at 7pm.

Norths won the toss and put Atherton in to bat as openers Alex Nasser and Mason Blaney set the precedent, putting on a 87 runs partnership with Blaney making 52 before being dismissed.

Nasser made 40 before being dismissed while the rest of the order struggled to make it into double figures – Atherton managed to make it to 8/162 off their 25 overs.

Norths gave Atherton a good run for their money as their middle order managed to fire and make good scores including one half century.

The game went down to the wire as Norths made it to 153 in their final over before losing their final wicket in a run out.

After claiming the win Atherton will now face off against Mulgrave Kerala at Walker Road this Sunday.

Atherton has been in this exact position before and was set to play Mulgrave Kerala at Walker Road in last year’s finals, however it was rained out and Mulgrave took the throne as they were placed first.