Sport
4 March, 2024
Atherton takes shield, earns place in cricket semi-final
ATHERTON have snuck their way into the Cricket Far North semifinals after securing enough points to push them from fifth to third place after their win against Mareeba on Saturday.
Wet weather had dampened the spirits of the Atherton team, after a wash out put them down to fifth place.
But thanks to Barron’s game being washed out over the weekend and a double-points game against Mareeba, captain Tom Boorman said they now have their shot.
“I am really happy with it because like we said at the start of the season, if we made it to the finals then we have exceeded our expectations,” he said.
“We are playing Rovers next week in Cairns – it’s going to be a tough game but hopefully they will have a tough day out and maybe we can sneak into the grand final.”
Atherton picked up their critical points in the local derby against Mareeba on Saturday, where they surpassed Mareeba’s score in 19.5 overs.
After winning the toss, Atherton elected to bowl.
Mareeba batsman Brendan Payne topped the score for their side, with 22 runs off 72 balls, while A Grade debut Ryan Jaszczyszyn scored 16.
“It was the same struggle; we had blokes going on there looking comfortable batting, and then they found a way to get out,” Mareeba coach Gary Toshach said.
Meanwhile, Atherton’s Angus Vikionkorpi stood out as their best bowler, taking two wickets and getting Mareeba’s Tim O’Sullivan out for a duck, placing the team’s final score at 10/90.
Heading into bat, Atherton captain Tom Boorman made 22 not out from 24 balls, while Chris Adams made 26 off 20.
Mareeba’s Brandon Green took three wickets and a catch, Rowen Foxwell had a catch and bowled off his overs, and Brett Stallan finished with a wicket.
“We just kept the score down, so I thought we could get more runs, but Mareeba bowled really well and we didn’t do it easy – we got them in the 20th over,” Boorman said.
“They had us a bit scared at times, especially Chris Adams, who got off to a good start, making 26 and losing a few wickets to Brendon Green.”
Atherton also secured the Ken Tait Memorial Shield, which was recently established following the passing of Atherton life member and sporting enthusiast Ken Tait.
The shield goes to the winner of the three local derby games between Mareeba and Atherton.
Looking back on the season gone, Toshach said he was proud of Mareeba’s efforts as first time A Grade players.
“This season we had two jobs to do, and that was to build an A Grade culture … and to develop our training regime and commitment to produce quality players,” he said.
“We have done bucketloads in building our culture, and I’ve seen how tight these boys are and how they have worked together.
“I know no other club in Cricket Far North that does as much training as Mareeba Cricket, Three times a week.
“A huge congratulations to the boys for sticking it through. We only had one win all year, but they are still tight and put it through all the way to the end of the season.”
Atherton will face off against Rovers in Cairns this weekend, weather permitting, while Mareeba will begin looking towards next season.
