TAMPER TWIST

CRICKET RIVALS’ NEXT ACTION

BROADBEACH Robina have ruled out an appeal against their Round 14 Kookaburra Cup loss to Burleigh, despite Cricket Gold Coast handing down a six-week suspension to the Bullsharks ball-tamperer.

Ladder-leading Burleigh’s 100-run win over Broadbeach on February 2 was dragged back into the spotlight last week when a prominent Bullsharks player was banned for three rounds for ball tampering.

It is understood the damage was done after the ball was hit into the Crowe Howarth Oval Aussie rules dugouts, and was used for another four overs before umpires spotted the issue.

The loss could yet have major implications for Broadbeach’s top-four aspirations, with the Cats sitting third but needing to win one of their last two fixtures to qualify for the playoffs.

However, president Paul Azzopardi, who joined the club this season after 12 years at Burleigh, said the matter was now closed.

“It’s been and gone. We have got other things to worry about at the club,” said Azzopardi, who served as Burleigh president for three years.

“It’s just unfortunate for us we were involved in the game. (The result) may end up being the difference between playing finals but we’re not worried about it.

“Even during the game we didn’t want to go on with it too much. We haven’t made any big statements about it.

“We have got no ill feelings towards Burleigh. From our point of view, it’s regrettable it’s happened but we’ve moved on.”

The suspended player, who the Bulletin has chosen not to identify, would have been eligible for the finals series but has agreed to part ways with Burleigh effective immediately.

In a surprise admission, Azzopardi said the Bullsharks may not be the only ones guilty of flouting the laws of the game.

“They’re probably not Robinson Crusoe, other clubs have probably been doing those kinds of things (previously) but maybe not to the same extent,” he said.

“I do feel for Burleigh, there’s a lot of good people there. They’re going to carry this for a season or two so I hope for the good people there they can come through it.”