Siede’s stellar start
A RUN-A-BALL century from opener Dayne Siede has sent Mudgeeraba Nerang to the top of the Kookaburra Cup standings.
Siede, who prior to Saturday’s innings was averaging 6.4 over his previous five trips to the crease, revived his season with the stellar knock away to Coomera Hope Island.
The hosts’ target of 174 never looked a problem for Mudgeeraba, with opening pair Siede (104 not out) and
Lydon Gibbons (33) racing to triple figures before the latter was finally sent packing.
Kevin Chapman came to the crease and engineered a tidy 24 not out, while also allowing Siede to raise his bat before reaching the target.
Meanwhile a century went begging for Surfers Paradise opener Nathan Reardon on the road to Broadbeach, who became another victim of the nervous nineties when he was caught out 10 runs from the milestone.
It ultimately meant little to number two seed Surfers, with
Reardon’s wicket the only casualty in the 165-run chase.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the top four, however, as Palm Beach Currumbin fell victim to an on-song Southport Labrador bowling attack at Salk Oval.
Four Southport bowlers claimed multiple scalps and six finished with a wicket as the hosts rolled third-seed Palm Beach for just 89.
On a tricky batting wicket it was far from easy for the visitors in the chase.
Opener Luc Hart de Keating was the anchor of the
Southport innings, seeing it through with a hard-fought 30 not-out as the visitors hit the target with four wickets to spare.
At Sam Loxton Oval, Helensvale’s top four hopes took a hit following a 111-run loss to a rampant Runaway Bay.
An 88-run fourth-wicket partnership between Rhys McCarthy (80) and Michael Narracott (31) anchored the hosts’ innings en route to a monster 8/265.
The visitors could muster just 154 in reply with club great Paul Baird’s 37 the only
highlight on a dour day at the crease.
Queens meanwhile moved off the foot of the table with a nine-wicket thrashing of Alberton Ormeau.