Maroochydore captain Blaine Schloss says their grand final triumph over Caboolture proves they really are the best team on the Sunshine Coast.
The Swans were crowned champions last year because they finished higher than the Snakes on the ladder, after the decider was cancelled due to COVID-19.
This time around, they finished the job.
“It is a fantastic feeling,” Schloss said.
“We wanted to prove to a lot of people that just because we didn’t play last year didn’t mean we didn’t deserve to win, so it was really important for us to play a grand final and show people we are the best team.”
He said the Swans showed plenty of determination during the season.
“We’ve just fought really hard.”
“We didn’t really dominate games, but we scrapped really well and refused to lose on a lot of occasions.
“I think we have a courageous bunch of guys.”
The Swans defeated the Snakes by 17 runs in the first innings, before the third and final day of the final was washed out.
The hosts compiled only 137 but restricted the Snakes to 120.
Maroochydore were 4/35 in their second innings and both teams fancied their chances heading into day three.
But persistent rain during the week assured the Swans victory.
“It was a good result in the end. It would have been nice to get out there and play but we’ll take the win for sure,” Schloss said.
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“We’ve been really consistent with bat and ball this season.
“We haven’t made big totals, but we’ve managed to keep teams to really low totals and that kept us in a lot of games.”
Key to their attack was Luke McInnes, who claimed 42 wickets in the longer format of the game, at an average of just 8.69.
“He was outstanding, a real linchpin for us with the ball,” Schloss said.
“As captain you always felt confident you could throw him in the ball, and he’d pick up a wicket or two when you needed it.”
The Swans had talent in the batting ranks, with the likes of Zac Willox.
The 19-year-old scored 401 runs at an average of 44.46 and contributed some big scores at No.3, particularly surrounding the Christmas break.
“It was really pleasing to see a young bloke, who we put a lot of faith in since day one, go out there and repay that faith and be really consistent in the way he went about it,” the captain said.
Willox is among a crop of young players at the club, which can be a force for years, according to Schloss.
“We’ve spoken a lot about creating a dynasty.”
“Credit to Caboolture, because they’ve been the most successful team without a doubt during the last 10 to 15 years, but I feel like we’re starting to take over that mantle now with a young team.
“A lot of guys are aged 18 to 22 and they’ve got a lot of years of cricket ahead of them.
“I hope their future lies with us and they’re keen to keep building our dynasty. It would be lovely to go three in a row next year.”
The club has depth, with a very young reserve grade side claiming the minor premiership this season.
Among the lower divisions, University of the Sunshine Coast and Yandina had considerable success, winning two titles each. The latter beat Nambour in reserve grade.
Sunshine Coast cricket premiers
Division 1: Maroochydore def Cabooolture
Division 2: Yandina def Nambour
Division 3: Maroochydore def Maleny
Division 4: University of the Sunshine Coast def Maroochydore
Division 5: Tewantin-Noosa def Glasshouse
Division 6: University of the Sunshine Coast def Palmwoods
Division 7: Yandina def Cooroy-Eumundi
Sunshine Coast A-grade grand final scorecard
Maroochydore 1st innings
C Stitt c Schubert b Corlet 30
M Olsen run out Schubert/Corlet 0
Z Willox c Martin b Corlet 13
B Schloss LBW Batticciotto 0
S Jones c Flew b Batticciotto 0
L McInnes c Schubert b Flew 33
J Porter c Batticciotto b Corlet 0
M Watson LBW Batticciotto 14
Z Glider st Schubert b Simpson 20
R Anderson not out 15
M Jackson st Schubert b Lee 0
Extas: 12
Total: 137
Overs: 73.5
FOW: 11 (M Olsen) 35 (Z Willox) 44 (B Schloss) 44 (SM Jones) 44 (C Stitt) 46 (J Porter) 82 (M Watson) 103 (L McInnes) 136 (Z Gilder) 137 (M Jackson)
Bowling: Flew 17-6-33-1, Corlet 27-16-32-3, Batticciotto 14-6-27-3, Connew 8-4-12-0, Lee 3.5-0-15-1, Simpson 4-1-7-1.
Caboolture 1st innings
Z Martin b Anderson 0
M Schubert c Watson b Anderson 8
L Yan c Watson b McInnes 37
G Batticciotto c Willox b Glider 13
C Corlet LBW Schloss 1
C Simpson LBW Mcinnes 18
J Flew c Jones b Jackson 9
M Lee b McInnes 1
J Connew not out 2
C Simpson c Watson b Jackson 3
Extras: 7
Total: 120
Overs: 97.1
FOW:0 (ZC Martin) 14 (M Schubert) 42 (GC Batticciotto) 57 (C Simpson) 77 (J Coffin) 82 (C Corlet) 89 (L Ryan) 116 (J Flew) 117 (M Lee) 120 (C Simpson)
Bowling: Anderson 28-10-37-3, Stitt 8-4-9-1, McInnes 36.1-21-42-3, Glider 14-5-18-1, Jackson 5-1-9-2, Schloss 6-2-4-1.
Maroochydore 2nd innings
C Stitt LBW Flew 1
M Olsen b Corley 4
Z Willox c Batticciotto b Corlet 1
B Schloss LBW Batticciotto 12
S Jones not out 7
L McInnes not out 0
Extras: 10
Total: 4/35
Overs: 16
FOW: 2 (C Stitt) 3 (Z Willox) 16 (M Olsen) 34 (B Schloss)
Bowling: Flew 6-2-5-1, Crolet 6-3-13-2, Lee 2-1-5-0, Batticciotto 2-1-3-1.
Result: Maroochydore won first innings by 17 runs.
