QUEENS’ BIG BREAK
CRICKETING BUFFER
PREMIERS Queens have grabbed a handy break over the field after a triple-win weekend in two forms of Kookaburra Cup competition.
Ahead of Broadbeach Robina by a point going into Saturday’s one-day match against Alberton at Alberton, the Centaurs completed a clean sweep by downing the Force, then backing up with wins against Burleigh and Alberton in T20 matches yesterday at Greg Chaplin Oval.
Broadbeach (4-154) beat Surfers Paradise (152) at Voice Print Oval on Saturday to maintain the one-point difference but the absolute bonus came for Queens yesterday when the Cats crashed to their only T20 match of the day against Runaway Bay at Sam Loxton Oval.
While Broadbeach went pointless in that game, Queens collected 11 points from a possible 12 by getting four points plus two bonuses against Burleigh, then four points plus one bonus against Alberton.
As a result, Queens now lead Broadbeach by 12 points in the race for the all-important minor premiership.
Runaway Bay (5-133) from their 20 overs then kept Broadbeach to 7-109 in their innings on a day when they bowled over another top four side, Helensvale Pacific Pines, in the morning.
Against the Hawks, Runaway Bay defended 9-117 by dismissing their rivals for 105.
While still fifth-placed Burleigh harmed their finals prospects with losses to Helensvale and Queens, Mudgeeraba Nerang maintained their charge for the semi-finals by beating Palm Beach Currumbin yesterday after the Saturday bye.
PBC batted first at Salk Oval and made 8-116, a target the Bushmen had little trouble chasing, reaching 4-117.
The weekend’s individual performances came from Palm Beach veteran Ryan Kettle, who cracked 98 from 79 deliveries against Southport Labrador at GUGC Sports Oval.
And the competition’s leading all-rounder, Reece McDonald, was at it for Broadbeach against Surfers Paradise at Voice Print Data Oval on Saturday.
McDonald took 4-21 in Southport’s innings of 152 and backed up that fine spell with 46 runs opening for Broadbeach, who were winners with a score of 4-154.