English invasion as hungry Tigers eye success
SOUTHPORT Labrador are going all out in their quest to break a nine-year Kookaburra Cup premiership drought after signing two English stars for the upcoming season.
The Tigers, who have not tasted first grade success since beating Palm Beach Currumbin in the 2008-09 final, will feature spin-bowling allrounders Oli McGee and Matthew Morris when the campaign begins in October.
McGee, 21, will join the club from North East Premier League side Newcastle, while 18-year-old Morris plays for Westhoughton in Bolton Cricket League.
They are members of the Durham and Lancashire academies respectively.
With fellow Englishman Simon Belston also joining the club from premiers Burleigh as player-coach, expectations are high the club can improve on last season’s sixth-placed finish.
“We’re really excited to get stuck in and see where we are,” Belston said.
“These boys come very highly recommended from back home. It’s always good for these young fellas to come over here to the Gold Coast to buy into the local comp.
“We’ve been handy enough to get these boys’ signatures for the next six months. It’s a good balance of being able to bring over a good cricketer but also a good bloke.
“Oli in many regards has got the same pedigree as (Test quick) Mark Wood. Mark Wood came over to play for Palm Beach (in 2011) and Woody hails from Durham.
“Southport just missed out on finals last year and we should be looking to play finals. We’re looking to establish the club where they belong and that’s in the top four competing for premierships and playing finals.”
Belston said batsman Nic Peterson would also be crucial for the Tigers.