Plucky Seagulls aim up
THE RACE IS HEATING UP FOR THE KOOKABURRA CUP FINALS. TERRY WILSON LOOKS AT EACH SIDE’S PROSPECTS
THE Runaway Bay Seagulls have gone from outsiders at the start of the season to a stage where they are likely to shape the Kookaburra Cup final four.
Indeed, the Seagulls are a good chance of playing finals cricket if they can continue a giant-killing run over the remaining four rounds.
Last weekend the Seagulls bowled over Coomera Hope Island in Saturday’s 40-over game, then rolled top four sides Helensvale Pacific Pines and Broadbeach Robina in T20s on Sunday.
And before that they bowled over premiers Queens in a huge upset to start a streak that has them in with a good chance of playing finals.
Today Runaway Bay play Broadbeach at Sam Loxton Oval and, given the Cats are way undermanned, have to have a chance of five wins on the trot.
“They’re obviously a lot better than they were at the start of the season,” noted Broadbeach captain Sean Fitzsimmons.
“We played them last weekend (in the T20) and they played well.
“This weekend we’ll be depleted without our three boys from The Southport School, their coach Steve Baker and Reece McDonald (holidays in Hawaii).”
For so long out in the cold as far as semi-finals go, the
Baysiders have suddenly found some spring in their step and playing coach Ben Shepperson knows it.
Asked if he feels the Bay are capable of making the finals, or even shaping the make-up of them with four rounds to go, he said: “I agree with you.
“We’re off the back of four wins from four and of those four teams three are in the top four.
“I guess this gives us a glimmer of hope (of playing finals) but if we don’t we can have a massive impact on who does.”
As for Broadbeach, even if the Cats were missing numbers, Shepperson was upbeat.
“We beat them last Sunday when Reece (McDonald) was in and they brought in one of the Dolphins lads (Josh Kann),” Shepperson said.