Harker defiance gives Cats a scare
NOT since before the advent of stats website MyCricket had Runaway Bay president Travis Harker made a halfcentury.
The left-arm spinner broke that drought on Saturday in a defiant effort to give his club a shot at beating frontrunners Broadbeach Robina for the second time in six days.
It ultimately wasn’t enough as the Cats won by three wickets in fast enough fashion to secure a bonus point but it showed the grit with which Harker represents the Seagulls.
Playing at their Sam Loxton Oval track, Bay went from 0-25 to be reeling at 8-61. Enter Harker, who had just 13 first grade runs for the season beforehand.
He went on to make an unbeaten 54 to scrape the hosts up to 9-124 by the end of their 40 overs.
Harker’s MyCricket records date back to 2004-05; in that time he has taken 278 wickets but not scored a 50.
“You play enough cricket and be in those situations and I managed to get away with one,” he said modestly.
“I put on a 40-odd partnership with Peter Lynch, a 15year-old kid. They were his first runs in first grade so it was good to bat with someone having their first experience (batting) in first grade.”
Providing added inspiration was the fact Bay players
donned black armbands in honour of former member John “Dougie” Walters who passed away during the week.
Harker noted it is the progress of youngsters like
Lynch that has him sure Bay are headed the right way.
Broadbeach’s win was crucial given that all other top five teams picked up bonus points on Saturday.
Led by Rhys Finn (3-33) and Nathan Edwards (60), Mudgeeraba Nerang cruised to victory against Surfers while Helensvale Pacific Pines openers Ben Daley (61) and David Young (57) lifted the Hawks to a double bonus point win over Alberton.
The Winton show prevented a major boilover as Queens (92) held off Coomera Hope Island (65).
All-round efforts by Alex Breckin and TJ Miller helped Burleigh crush Palm Beach Currumbin.
Queens 102, Broadbeach 90, Helensvale Pacific Pines 81, Mudgeeraba Nerang 79, Burleigh 75, Southport Labrador 64, Runaway Bay 56, Palm Beach Currumbin 52, Surfers 51, Coomera Hope Island 46, Alberton 29