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.
Each meets bottom-four sides in the final two rounds, meaning any points difference from this clash could be hard to mend.
Maroochydore has displayed marked improvement in its batting aggression of late, after early season dependence on a dominant bowling squad.
Callum Stitt and Zak Willox join skipper Blaine Schloss in the top ten 2-day run-getters, and each displays a different approach to his craft, a healthy attribute in any team, though the rest of the order lag well behind. Maroochydore s Blaine Schloss. Picture: Patrick Woods
Dan Cahill plays a huge role in the Rangers’ batting outcomes, and has Jeremy Schultz plus Liam Moffett as experienced back-up.