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Premium Content Subscriber only AS the rain continued to tumble, the Ipswich cricket competitions leading all-rounder was feeling optimistic. While the ongoing showers might mean some or all of this weekends Cricket Ipswich grand final play could be washed out, Mick Sippel was upbeat. "Weve had about 60-70mm across the area, which has been nice, over the last few days, Sippel said. The cricket stalwart is a national manager for Terranova Seeds, having previously been the Lockyer Valley Grow...

Premium Content Subscriber only HAVING valuable all-rounders like Macy Hauser rising through the program is one of the reasons the Ipswich Hornets have qualified for Saturdays grand final. Macy, 15, is the only cricketer from the Hornets first year of female player development to still be in the clubs Second Grade team. She started in the all-girls Hornets winter squad in 2014, becoming one of the teams go-to players in this years Jodie Fields Shield competition. Having helped guide her sid...

Premium Content Subscriber only LOYAL Ipswich Hornets womens coach Tony Potbury is reminded how young his side is every time he sees them arrive. "Its 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 adva...

Premium Content Subscriber only HAVING both Ipswich womens teams in this weekends Queensland Premier Grade semi-finals is a massive indication of how well the Hornets are progressing. Having one of the Hornets regular players Ellie Johnston currently playing for the Queensland Fire enhances that ongoing cricket development success. But while the Hornets first grade side will be without Johnston for Sundays elimination showdown with the Gold Coast, head coach Wayne Bichel sees it as another o...

Premium Content 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 mens 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 anoth...

Premium Content Subscriber only FOR an Ipswich sportsman who needed both hips replaced, Mark Sharrad can honestly say he has scaled incredible heights. Hiking 7.5km up Mt Everest with his partner Leanne for 19 days proved that. "It was awesome - the reward at the end of it to see Everest base camp, Sharrad said. Given Sharrad had his hips replaced four years ago, his epic 2019 climb highlighted the tenacity of the former Ipswich Jets footballer and Wests A-Grade hockey goalkeeper. He savou...

Premium Content Subscriber only STYLISH Ipswich Hornets batsman Harry Wood had to work harder than usual to post a crucial century in his teams 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. "I...

Premium Content Subscriber only WHEN you score a masterful l78 at this stage of your career, you cant be batting too badly. That is especially the case when you have to deal with arthritis and are captain of a talented young side that needs an experienced hand to guide them. Ipswich Hornets Second Grade captain Nick De Giusti is doing just that in this years Allan Pettigrew Shield competition. De Giustis fine 249 ball knock against Redlands at Wellington Point last weekend left him understa...

Premium Content Subscriber only HAVING a set of dependable siblings in your side can often provide the X-factor edge needed for victory. At the Ipswich Hornets, they have three such connections - and all are matchwinners. Wilson brothers Anthony and Dan, and Wood siblings Harry and Jack, are major contributors to the clubs success in the Queensland Premier Grade cricket competition. Captain Anthony guided his side to victory with an unbeaten ton in the previous match and Jack returned from ...

Premium Content Subscriber only AFTER two knee operations in four months, Laidley batting ace Gerard "Ged Sippel concedes his cricketing future is in limbo. He is unlikely to return in the Cricket Ipswich competition after Christmas following the latest operation on his left knee. At 43, Sippel knows his outstanding cricket career has a limited time span. However, he wants to give himself every chance of playing next season with some added incentive. "I never say never, Sippel said about t...