HOT HOUGHTON HAMMERS DOUBLE HUNDRED FOR HAWKS
IT was hot, stinking hot, and he’s 43 years of age so little wonder David Houghton decided that running quick singles was definitely not the way to go on Saturday.
In what was one of the most stunning innings in Gold Coast cricket history – most certainly the highest by a Helensvale Pacific Pines player – Houghton clobbered his way into the record books with a knock of 218.
Playing sixth grade for Helensvale’s Green team against Surfers Paradise Blue at Sir Bruce Small Oval 2, Houghton was at the crease for only 105 deliveries as the Hawks Greens racked up 8-343 from their 35 overs.
He finished with the upsidedown statistics of 16 fours and 20 sixes – 184 runs in boundaries and very few singles or twos.
It was a modest Houghton who tried to play down his great achievement, acknowledging the size of the ground was not exactly of giant proportions.
“It is a bit embarrassing because of the ground size and the grade we played because I have played first grade for Helensvale a while ago,” tow truck driver Houghton said.
Amazingly the veteran had never scored a century in his career.
“So to score a double hundred, I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face,” Houghton said.
Ironically, Saturday was only the second time Houghton has played a game for Helensvale this season.
The first was just before Christmas when he scored 77 for the Hawks Greens against Surfers Paradise Red, at Sir Bruce Small Oval 3.
On that occasion he faced 42 deliveries, belting nine sixes and just three boundaries.
“I’m sure they (Surfers Paradise) hate me now – but I love those grounds,:” Houghton said.
For the record Houghton’s 218 was the highest score in any Cricket Gold Coast grade since Brendon Sheldrick (231, Broadbeach Robina) and Brodie Learmonth (228, Queens) both hit double tons on March 5, 2016.
And the previous high score by a Helensvale bat was the 206 by Chris Wicks in first grade.