All four can win it, says Belston

SOUTHPORT Labrador captain-coach Simon Belston believes the Kookaburra Cup’s best four teams will square off in the semi-finals, but is adamant the Tigers can “go on and beat anyone put in front of us”.

Precariously poised at 7-115 chasing Coomera Hope Island’s 138, fourth-placed Southport received a helping hand from the rain gods on Saturday as play was washed out at Morrie Glasman Oval.

With Palm Beach Currumbin and Mudgeeraba Nerang snapping at their heels for a finals spot, the washout handed the Tigers victory based on the runs percentage rule and left the chasing pack needing to register outright wins – a mountain that proved too difficult to climb.

Alberton Ormeau’s (129) defeat of Burleigh (122) in the battle for the minor premiership means Southport will now make the trip to Trevor Hammel Field on Saturday and Sunday, while the Bullsharks will host Broadbeach Robina in the other semi.

While a relieved Belston (pictured) said the table didn’t lie, he had full faith the Tigers could mount a premiership assault.

“We’re ready for finals. I really do feel that to have blokes like Nic Peterson, Wade Kilborn and Paul Johnston, we’re good enough to go on and win a premiership,” Belston said.

“I reckon you’ve got the best four sides in the comp at one, two, three, four. Burleigh are a strong side, Alberton are a very good side and Broadbeach

are a very dangerous side as well.

“If you asked me at the start of the year if Southport would be playing finals we’d have took it. We’re looking forward to (playing Alberton); it’s going to be a hard-fought game and we wouldn’t expect anything different. Alberton is usually a really good deck up there so we don’t mind travelling. We can go on and beat anyone put in front of us.”

LADDER: Alberton Ormeau 81, Burleigh 80, Broadbeach Robina 67, Southport Labrador 64, Palm Beach Currumbin 63, Queens 58, Mudgeeraba Nerang 57, Helensvale Pacific Pines 49, Coomera Hope Island 42, Runaway Bay 42, Surfers Paradise 39