BURLEIGH REMAIN JUST WHERE THEY WANT TO BE
BURLEIGH may sit out of the finals positions with only one round remaining but the emerging Kookaburra Cup force appear destined for a shot at glory.
In what looms as a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, Helensvale Pacific Pines’ Round 22 clash at Mudgeeraba Nerang is destined to shape the top four puzzle.
The Hawks sit third, one spot above Mudgeeraba, yet with only two points splitting the teams, the victor is set to secure third place and a guaranteed finals spot.
The twist arrives in the fact Burleigh are fifth on 78
points, four out of finals, yet host a second-last placed Coomera Hope Island lineup who went down to Alberton at the weekend.
Essentially, a Burleigh win will lead to them
leapfrogging the loser of the match between Mudgeeraba and Helensvale.
In Saturday’s fixtures, a steady contribution from Alberton’s order helped them to 177.
That proved too much for Coomera, with Sam Page snaring 4-20.
At Greg Chaplin Oval, James Spargo’s unbeaten 97 steered Queens to 5-163, with Michael Durbridge (325) then helping hold off Mudgeeraba.
Surfers Paradise mowed down Palm Beach Currumbin’s 6-175 inside 20 overs thanks to Nathan Reardon.
The BBL slugger, who also took two wickets with the ball, blazed his way to an epic 100 not out off just 66 deliveries to lead his side to an eight-wicket win off just 19.1 overs.