Glasshouse paceman Sam Sweeney tears into his work against Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast cricket grand final at John Blanck Oval.
Glasshouse paceman Sam Sweeney tears into his work against Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast cricket grand final at John Blanck Oval. Nicholas Falconer
GLASSHOUSE captain Brett Milini says his side suffered grand final “nerves” as it squandered an opportunity to chase down Caloundra’s modest first innings total of 196.
Glasshouse was dismissed for 100 as Caloundra took the first innings spoils on the second day of the first division final at John Blanck Oval.
The Rangers now need to force an outright win to be crowned champions.
Milini said he was impressed with his side’s bowling performance on Saturday but was disappointed with its paltry score yesterday.
“I thought it (bowling) was terrific. I thought 250 was a par score and I thought we were in with a big chance,” he said.
“If we were good enough, we should have got that pretty easy but we didn’t bat well today.
“I think the nerves of a grand final gets to you too. It’s a totally different game. You try and put it in the back of your mind but it’s still there.”
Caloundra limped to 6-57 at stumps yesterday after Glasshouse’s bowling attack rallied in its second dig.
The Lighthouses lead by 153 runs with a day to play, putting them in prime position to win the title.
But Milini believes his side still has a shot if it can get quick wickets next Saturday morning and reverse its batting performance.
“We’ve given ourselves another chance but if we bat like we did in the first innings, we’re already gone,” he said.
“It should be a real good game, it’s interesting cricket.”
On a zipping wicket, Caloundra looked to be on its way to a big total on Saturday as they cruised to 0-56.
But quick wickets reduced the side’s total to 196 and gave Glasshouse a golden opportunity to get a leg up on the minor premiers.
“A few of the boys were a little bit disappointed because we’ve posted 300 every game except one this year,” Caloundra captain Rod Gibbs said.
“At the end of the day it was probably a par score looking at the wicket and conditions.
“We were upbeat about defending it. We had a bowling plan in place and the boys executed it perfectly.
“Full credit to the bowlers and also the tailenders who really stuck it out and put on 50 or 60 when it really counted.”
Caloundra only needs first innings points to win the title and with four wickets in hand and 153 runs on the board going into the final day, Gibbs says his side is in the box seat to win its first premiership in three years.
“There’s plenty of cricket left. It’s advantage to us at the moment but still very much in the balance,” he said.
Caloundra lead Glasshouse by 153 runs at stumps on day two of the 2010 Sunshine Coast, Australia division one cricket grand final. 

"I think the nerves of a grand final gets to you too. It’s a totally different game. You try and put it in the back of your mind but it’s still there,” Glasshouse captain Brett Milini said.



Caloundra were all out in their first inning for 193. In reply, Glasshouse could only manage 100.

“I thought it (bowling) was terrific. I thought 250 was a par score and I thought we were in with a big chance,” Milini said. "If we were good enough, we should have got that pretty easy but we didn’t bat well today."

Caloundra rounded out day two at six out for fifty seven, leaving Glasshouse an outside chance of snatching the championship.

“We’ve given ourselves another chance but if we bat like we did in the first innings, we’re already gone,” he said. “It should be a real good game, it’s interesting cricket.”

Buderim lead Maroochydore in the Third A Division Grand Final

In lower grades
*Buderim lead Maroochydore by 16 on first innings in the third A division
*Yandina effectively batted out the lower place Buderim side in the northern fourth division
*The fifth division limited overs grand final in dispute.

Results for the second division, third B division, southern fourth division and fifth division traditional grand finals have not been accessible to Wikinews as of this report