GPS First XI cricket premiers crowned The Southport School 2023
An extraordinary sporting dynasty continued as GPS First XI’s cricket premiere was crowned today. Everything you need to know here.
Another chapter in one of Queensland’s great dynasties of sport was added today as the Southport School claimed the prestigious GPS First XI premiere with an exceptional win over Nudgee College.
TSS had to win to fend off a challenge from Toowoomba Grammar School and somehow defended 107 after bowling Nudgee for 91.
At the start of the game, TSS had 43 points meaning they had to beat arch-rivals Nudgee College to ensure they won the Premiership from TGS who were up against IGS. TGS (207) beat IGS (149), with Ewald Kruger claiming his third five-wicket haul of the season. But it wasn’t enough for the boys from the Darling Downs.
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TSS, headed by Cricket Steve Baker, has been the benchmark site for the GPS competition since 2010.
In fact, the college had won nine premierships in the past 13 seasons, including the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017 seasons as state champions.
TSS had a remarkable season. Led by Brad Sperling and with Ross Wallace his assistant, Southport School bounced back from a shock defeat to Gregory Terrace to make the running.
TGS, which is watching its first cricket debut since 2005, was coached by Ben Schuhmacher (head coach) and Jason Fenwick (assistant coach). Fenwick was the captain of the 2005 Premiership side.
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“It felt like a big endgame and Nudgee didn’t back down,” Baker said of today’s nerve-wracking match.
“They (Nudgee) played to the last ball. Every run was hard fought,” Cricket Baker’s TSS Director.
He said what was most satisfying was watching much of his squad progress through college from the 5th grade onwards.
He commended his skipper Dan Statham “for his calmness” and trainers Brad Sperling and Ross Wallace for the knowledge they passed on to the boys.
Commenting on today’s defense of just 107, Baker said: “Runs on the board in youth cricket – you can’t underestimate that”.
The early XI TSS teams have a culture of fight to the death and defending the seemingly untrustworthy, and again they have prevailed.
Baker, on a slow pitch, said the key to the school’s recent winning run was the spinners, who hit deep and put a lot of energy into the field. Farely drops a TSS page a hook.
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Toowoomba High School were brave to the core and scored 207 points against Ipswich Grammar School in Ipswich.
The TGS bowlers – Samarawickrama, Webster, Malhotra, Lachmund and Kruger – then bowled to their heart’s content.
After a nervous start, Chace Oates (63) and Charlie Bignall (44) added 127.
The TGS bowlers then ensured there was no escape despite the best efforts of Cody Dalziel and Dinek Kinigama, both of whom claimed five wickets during the TGS innings.
TGS sporting director Steve Fryer said the coaching staff are so proud of the team and what they have achieved for the community.
“The coaching staff have been very happy with the way the lads have progressed from game to game,” said Fryer.
“They all contributed with the bat, the ball and on the field. It was an all-round good team performance.”
In today’s game at Southport, Riley Johnson scored the highest hit for TSS at 28, adding a crucial last wicket partnership with swing bowler Waterman.
When Nudgee batted, Zac McDermott (10-1-15-2) showed his old tricks, aided by Waterman (1-16) and Ryan Summers 2-33), while Queensland U17 all-rounder Griff Williams, 3-8 and young nutcase Thaman weighed in at 1-13.
Nudgee captain Jack Balkin was astounding with his three-wicket performance over 10 overs and at one point his team sat in the box seat.
TSS has been so successful that the school has produced a number of international, first-class and BBL players in recent times.
The representative HONOR ROLL includes John Buchanan, former Test Coach and historic winning coach of Queensland Sheffield, along with Test Judge Bruce Oxenford. Both men also played for Queensland.
Australian players: Scott Muller, Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser, Matthew Kuhnemann, Blair Marshall Tickner (New Zealand).
First class: Gilbert Gunthorpe, Lewis Cooper, John Buchanan, Stephen Monty, Muller, Bruce Oxenford, Neser, Nick Stevens, Sam Hain, Cameron Brimblecombe, Callum Taylor, Tickner, Stanlake, Kuhnemann, Jack Sinfield, Soloman Budinger, Xavier Bartlett.
In other games today Brisbane Boys College ended the season in style as Jamie Alexander, Blake Armstrong and James Martens claimed seven wickets to sack BSHS for 100.
Amstrong then scored 27 and Alexander 26 not in a five-wicket win.
At Churchie, Terrace and Churchie played a thriller after terrace skipper Tom Stubbins (51) and spinner William Ilott (5-20) led their side to victory.
Stubbins’ half-century had put his side at 7-155.
Churchie spinners Henry Hillier (2-26) and Charlie Moore (1-23) were great at restraining their rivals.
As Churchie batted, gloveman Jayden Draper opened the innings and produced a match high score in a thriller.
Ultimately, he was the last man for 77 to run from Illiott to Bodimeade, with Churchie (143) missing the target.
It was a great end to the season with both teams fighting to the last wicket.
What a match it was for the highly talented Ilott, who finished a match-winning runout after Bodimeade’s work on the field with five wickets.
He had to be man of the match, although Stubbins bowled as well (1-24, 10 overs) as did Theodore Bacalakis (2-22).
Originally released as Extraordinary Sporting Dynasty, it was continued in GPS First XI Cricket