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Subscriber only HAVING won three Gold jackets in a row, accomplished cricketer Harry Wood is a fine choice as a local hero . That s a new role Wood will fulfil in coming weeks having joined the Western Power franchise fielding a range of teams in the newly-formed Brisbane Premier League (BPL) T20 competition. With strong Ipswich ties and a proud country heritage, Laidley-bred Wood will encourage junior cricketers and help promote Western Power in the inaugural five-week amateur series starting in August. While yet to decide if he will play in the BPL, the Ipswich Hornets most consistent batsman appreciated another prestigious honour.
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Subscriber only AFTER some rejuvenation time on his Pine Mountain farm, Tony Potbury is eager to coach again next season. Having seen his young Hornets Second Grade cricket team gain valuable grand final experience, Potbury is keen to build on what has been achieved. The Hornets lost Saturday s grand final against University after making 111 in reply to the home side s 7/125 at Graceville. Potbury said the pressure of the occasion got to some of his younger players. However, with so many of the team still teenagers, the coaching stalwart was upbeat about the future. It s a great experience, he said, having guided a number of club and school sides to grand finals.
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Subscriber only LOYAL Ipswich Hornets women s coach Tony Potbury is reminded how young his side is every time he sees them arrive. It s a bit surprising when you turn up at training and all the girls are rolling in with cars that have got L-plates on, he said. With the exception of tireless ring leader Leanne Bichel, the Hornets side includes a number of players aged in their teens. However, that youthful enthusiasm is one of the reasons the Hornets Second Grade side has advanced to this weekend s Jodie Fields Shield competition grand final. Stacked with all-rounders, the young team battled gamely to beat Sunshine Coast in a nerve-racking final over at Walker Oval on Sunday.
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Subscriber only WITH one Ipswich Hornets title already in the bag and four senior teams still in the finals hunt, this weekend is crucial for the newly-formed Cricket Ipswich structure. The Hornets Queensland Premier Grade men s side is in sixth place in a tightly contested pack of contenders, able to still qualify for the semi-finals over the next two Saturdays. Victory over fourth-placed Sandgate at Walker Oval will give the Aaron Moore-coached outfit a shot at chasing another grand final spot - like they did last season. The Hornets Second Graders have a tougher task but they can still mathematically make the semis with a big win over Sandgate Redcliffe at Deagon.
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Subscriber only STYLISH Ipswich Hornets batsman Harry Wood had to work harder than usual to post a crucial century in his team s latest Queensland Premier Grade victory. However, he had a valuable ally in older brother Jack to enhance the enjoyment. Unable to bowl as he waits on further medical assessments on his knee, Wood did what he does best. The classy first drop knuckled down in the hot conditions to score his first ton of the season against Redlands at Walker Oval. It was one of the tricky ones for me, the former Ipswich Grammar School student said.