Terranora tops in a thriller

Terranora players rejoice.

ACCORDING to Terranora coach Tim Connolly, the recent Twenty/20 cricket on television was nothing compared to the excitement of watching his side prevail over Cudgen in the Tweed District Cricket Association under-12 grand final last weekend.

“Two tough teams, Cudgen and Terranora, did battle for six hours and the result wasn’t decided until the very last ball,” Connolly said.

“All in the Terranora camp were visibly impressed with proceedings, especially considering we took out the wooden spoon last season without any wins.”

Rain, great fielding and obvious spirit from both sides meant that easy runs and wickets didn’t present themselves to either side.

Last Saturday Terranora ended the first day’s play at 153, with Jarrod Morris and William Malone batting well, while Mitchell Connolly showed obvious determination.

Ryan Lahrs, Connor Ziebell, Jaron Wilson and Zac Garlan bowled well for Cudgen in a strong team effort in the field.

On Sunday Terranora were constantly under pressure bowling in between showers, most trundlers struggling to maintain control with a slippery ball.

These conditions, predictably, led to a sluggish start for the bowling side Terranora.

Conversely Cudgen made a sound start, not losing their first wicket until the score was 55.

Terranora, however, showed outstanding team spirit and gradually fought their way back into the contest.

Eventually “the whole game came down to the death” and Cudgen fell three runs short of the Terranora total.

Malone and Connolly backed up from their batting efforts with a sound showing with the ball for Terranora and were well supported by Harry Fitzhugh, Rhys Preston and Jarrod Thomas.

Curtis Goodwin, Reece Perram, Jaron Wilson and Jake Buckley all made very strong contributions to the Cudgen total.

Both Cudgen and Terranora can now confidently look to the future safe in the knowledge that several excellent prospects are rising through their ranks.