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The Rangers again face Caboolture, who ended their hopes last season and now occupy an unfamiliar fourth position, but undaunted territory after 14 titles in 22 years. This time a draw will not be enough to progress to the big game, so the Snakes must consider time as an extra factor in their plans. Glasshouse as minor premiers will enter the play-offs full of confidence as the youth component matures at season’s end, with the likes of Joel Owen, Jett Taylor and Ricky Sawyer having graduated past the rookie status. Backed by experienced survivors of many campaigns, the Rangers have melded into a squad capable of going all the way. ....
A loss this round could threaten hopes of that fancied status, as all four face sides out of finals contention. Last week giant-killers Nambour showed that none is immune to upset with their outright defeat of Caboolture, while the other three on the second shelf demonstrated enough batting talent and determination to stifle complacency. Up at Gympie, Caloundra s Brendan Kelly raised 163 on a painfully slow outfield as the Lighthouses were able to declare on 273, and though only Andy Batten s unbeaten 96 was a credit in the home side s first innings response, Steve Brady s 101 to dispel any idea of outright defeat showed the quality available. ....
The Cutters set the Sharks a chase of 234 last Saturday on the back of 116 from their skipper Steve Ledger, and after resuming at 1/26, the visitors will be needing at least one big innings to reach the finish line. Coolum senior coach and captain Sam Curtis. Picture: Warren Lynam Apart from early season T20s, Coolum’s two wins have been against Nambour and Gympie, and in each of those games, the driving force has been runs from Sam Curtis, 100 no and 161. The former Wairarapa first class captain in New Zealand officially retired back in 2012 after repeated knee and lower leg problems, and thought after his knock against Gympie that his Achilles tendon was saying the time is up again. ....