Ipswich juniors drive Hornets second grade rebuild

With a number of retirements and several players returning to their community cricket roots in 2024/25, the Ipswich Hornets second grade team has commenced its rebuild.

Stepping up into a tough Queensland Premier Cricket competition were a group of players from the Hornets pathway, including Jett Emmerson (Laidley Mulgowie District Bluedogs), Patrick Rose (Brothers), Jack Hillier (Northsiders), Rohan Brady (Stanthorpe) and Luke Sheppard (Thunder).

Making the transition from Lord’s Taverners (and only a handful of Ipswich first division matches) was always going to be a tough ask, but the young players stuck to the task each week against seasoned opponents.

The new-look Hornets finished fifth in the 50-over competition, narrowly missing a top four finals spot despite not dropping a game.

Other Hornets pathway players Rhys Johnston, Colby Rudd, Ryan Hines, Ayaan Latif, Daniel Craig and Oscar Dioth also featured in the early rounds of the white ball season.

Another Hornets pathways player – exciting Queensland Under 19 fast bowler Charlie Lachmund – continued his development in the Hornets first grade team.

In the last round of the regular season, Lachmund was joined by promising batsman Joe

Sippel, whose season was unfortunately restricted by a back injury.

Sippel hit consecutive half-centuries upon his long-awaited return, earning a first grade debut against Redlands.

While the Ipswich youngsters have stood up, so too have a number of seasoned Hornets.

Rowan Lutter, Tom Sippel, Harry Austin, Ben Newton and Paul Nasser have all contributed strongly in between first grade call ups.

The addition of Jack Little and Dom Donaldson added much needed experience late in the year, while current Jets Leagues Club Division 1 competition players Jacob Anderson, Harry Dobson and Jacob Waters all added punch.

With the bat, Hillier finished the season as the Hornets leading run scorer with 372 runs, closely followed by Brady (346).

Sheppard also produced some handy knocks, and his glovework behind the stumps was superb (20 catches, two stumpings).

Rose and Emmerson toiled hard all season, picking up 21 and 15 wickets respectively as back up to Lutter (26) and Tom Sippel (22) who led from the front.

CI board member Mathew James, who oversees the men’s program, acknowledged the efforts of the players and coach Adrian Bidgood.

“We’ve had some great stability and success over many years in men’s first and second grade, but we always knew this season would be about rebuilding, particularly in second grade,” James said.

“Our pre-season also started while a number of players were still overseas with their UK clubs.

“But to the young guys’ credit, they’ve stood up all year against far more experienced players; and it’s amazing to think our team took field with eight players under the age of 18 in a one-day game against Wests.

“And they didn’t just compete that day – they got the job done. Those experiences will place us in good shape leading into the new season.”