There were numerous mixed emotions at the TCC this week with the 1’s and the White 4’s falling agonisingly short of a Grand Final place while the 3’s and the Black 4’s go through to the last week of the season on highs after spirited performances in their matches.

The 1’s faced top placed Sandy Creek at Kapunda and fell excruciatingly short of the 209 to win. Saturday’s performance with the ball saw Justin “Cheese and Bacon” Ward take his first 5 wicket haul for the year and he was ably supported by Christian “Cheddar” Gattermyer and Barry “Chicken Drumstick” Kaesler who both claimed 2 victims. Gattermyer and Kaesler also had busy weekends with bat making 54 and 36 respectively but ultimately the team fell 3 unbearable runs short of facing rivals Nuriootpa in the Final.

The 3’s had to perform well in the field on Sunday if they were to make it into the Grand Final after being rolled for 149 at the end of the first days play. Jon “Barbecue” Farley crafted his way to 69 before he was bowled while Sam “Pizza” Tarca finished off the innings with 22 valuable runs. A vastly improved effort in the field saw the Light Pass side all out for 77 which included 2 sharp run outs. With the ball 3 wickets went to spinners Nick “Chicken Crimpy” Murphy and Rowan “Savoury” Miegel while quick Daniel Marshall claimed 2 victims to complete a comprehensive finish to the match.

The White 4’s snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as their opponents Angaston scraped over the line in the final over. Captain George “Nacho Cheese” Akkerman made a courageous 54 with the bat while all-rounder James “Italian Woodfired Pizza” Ellis managed to get himself 25 runs as the team made 131. Ellis claimed 4 early wickets as their opponents had their backs right against the wall but the side fell just short of playing their own rivals in Tanunda Black in the A5’s Final.

The Black 4’s faced finals rivals in Gawler Centrals and came away with a strong win to see them pitted against Angaston in next weeks final. Playing at Lyndoch oval Nat “Medditeranian Fetta and Herb” Steinert stole the show with 5 crucial wickets that put their opponents in big trouble in the penultimate weekend of the year.

The end of season presentations are to be held on the 18th of April out at the lawns at Peter Lehmann’s. The day begins at 11am and includes presentations for both Juniors and Seniors as well as a BBQ lunch and awards to be given to TCC life members.

The “Arnott’s Shapes Top Knock” award goes to spiritual leader Jon Farley for his 69 for the 3’s while the “Rogasch Windows Best Bowler” award goes to Justin Ward for his 5 wickets in the 1’s.

In a wet weekend at the TCC all grades performed with spirit in the soggy conditions with the 1’s, 2’s and 3’s all fielding first with varied success, while the 4’s teams both played good competitive cricket with the Blacks winning although the Whites had to settle for a draw.

The 1’s needed a good start in their match away from home against bottom placed Freeling to consolidate their place in the finals. The bowlers did a fantastic job in restricting the opposition batsmen before the rain came to halt play with the score at 5/112 after 49 overs. Right arm quicks “Steady” Eddie Giedel and Barry Kaesler “Vineyards and Winery” both managed to claim 2 scalps as all bowlers went for minimal runs in their individual spells.

The 2’s also played in a do-or-die game against finals bound Sandy Creek away from home. The rain also came in their match to ruin the first innings as the ‘pies had the opposition at 6/184 after 57 overs. Shane “Window” Dalby was the only multiple wicket taker with 2, as the other wickets were shared amongst the rest of the bowlers.

The 3’s have their work cut out if they want to go into the major round on a winning feeling in their match against Gawler Centrals. In the wet at Willaston, Tanunda were never able to really get on top, especially after going a bowler/fielder down in Daniel “Slide and Flick” Marshall. However the lads fought hard to restrict their opponents to 221 after 65 overs. U16’s seamer Parker “Reverse Parallel” Neldner was the chief wicket taker claiming respectable figures of 3/17, while king spinner Nick “SOC” Murphy also claimed 2.

The Black 4’s endeavoured to keep their finals chances alive in their match against Angaston at the Angaston Oval. Batting first it was skipper Matt “Hayden” Spackman, 38, and Shale “Shael?” Wall, 32, that made the most out of the opposition attack as the side made 155. With the ball Mark “Taylor” Hoklas, Corey “McKernan” Roehr and Ryan “Pallet” Shepley all claimed 2 wickets as the Angaston side were all out for 89.

The White 4’s battled valiantly in their match against Truro but were unable to get over the line before the match was declared a draw. With the ball first the returning Troy “Helen” Raymond and fellow quick Sam “Sung” Cox both claimed multiple wickets as the Truro side finished at 7/133. Runs were made through the agency of Bradley “Mellow” Marshall, 47, and Link “Foxes” Fleetwood, 34 but play stopped before the side reached their desired total, finishing at 6/111 in the 31st over.

The date for the end of season presentations has been changed to the 18th of April on the lawns out the front of Peter Lehmann’s. The day will include presentations for both Juniors and Seniors with an 11am start for the junior presentations, followed by lunch and then senior presentations.

The “Clubhouse Top Knock” award goes to the evergreen Bradley Marshall for his solid 47 for the White 4’s while the “Rogasch Windows Best Bowler” award goes to U16’s regular Parker Neldner for his 3 wickets in the 3’s.

The TCC produced some encouraging results this week with only the 1’s going down to the likes of Gilbert Valley while the 2’s, 3’s and White 4’s all had vital wins to keep their sides just where they are needed coming out of the penultimate match of the regular season.

The 1’s needed quick wickets if they were to continue their form coming into the finals but this was not to happen against a spirited Gilbert Valley outfit. Having the opposition 3 key wickets down after last week the side were always going to push for victory however a few solid partnerships stole victory from the ‘pies. Breakthrough bowler for the year Mitchell “Notion” Boschen was the chief wicket taker claiming 4 scalps although this wasn’t enough as Gilbert Valley passed the score 8 wickets down.

The 2’s late season finals fight continues with another dominating week against South Gawler which sees them squeak into 4th spot. With an outright win on the cards for the lads they got the result they wanted with 3 wickets going to left-armer Paul “Imperishable” Healy, who finished with 10 for the match, while other quicks in Daniel “Like” Schilling “Peas” and Shane Dalby “Hifi” both claimed 2 victims. The men who did the damage last week with the bat, in Captain Pete “Chieftain” Mernagh and stroker Brett “Can’t spell Grocke without rock” Grocke, followed up last weeks efforts with not out performances to get the side the much needed double points.

The 3’s return to form continued late in the season as they now have a finals birth wrapped up going into next weeks match against Gawler Centrals. Off spinner Nick “Icypoles” Murphy took his wickets tally for the season to 33 with another dominating display with the ball finishing with figures of 5/46 in the first innings and another scalp in the second. Daniel “Bouncer” Marschall got the ball rolling however with an aggressive display snaring 3 wickets of his own, however the best performance of the day again goes to the much better half of Murphy who again brought ambrosial supplies during the tea break.

The White 4’s also revived their finals hopes with a necessary win against Eudunda-Robertsown in their do-or-die clash away from home. Batting first it was again opener Dave “Guerdon” Gordon who undoubtedly in career best form with another 45 to set up the teams’ innings score of 133. With the ball it was Chris “FOF” Murphy, who looks to be finding later season form, and Link “Letter” Fleetwood who both claimed 3 wickets on the cheap to propel their sides toward victory and a possible finals birth.

The end of season presentation is coming up and it is looking like another exciting finish to a number of senior sides trying to make the finals. Presentation Day for both Juniors and Seniors will be held on Sunday 11th April on the lawns out the front of Peter Lehmann’s again this year. 11am start for the junior presentations, followed by lunch and then senior presentations.

The “Clubhouse Top Knock” award goes to the evergreen Dave Gordon for his crucial 45 for the White 4’s while the “Kaesler Vineyards & Winery Best Bowler” award goes to Nick Murphy for yet another 5 wicket haul for the 3’s.