Jack’s the ace card as Queens triumph
THE gap between the Taper Premier League’s top four had been widening, and with it the chance for Queens to emerge as a finals dark horse contender. Enter Jack Winton.
In need of a win to keep their hunt for a finals berth alive, the all-rounder turned in a masterclass against Southport Labrador to ensure the Queens’ fight would not die yet.
Winton capitalised on his strong performance with ball on day one last week, where his 4/70 off 24 overs restricted the Tigers to be all out for 200, to finish unbeaten on 52 and guide his side to 6/203.
After a pair of early dismissals had Queens battling at 2/20, opener Mitchell Freeman (60) and Steven Baker (49) combined for a 90-run partnership that made a seamless victory appear likely.
But the loss of Freeman – son followed by skipper Max Houlahan (10), Baker and Sam Winton (4) – had the contest delicately poised: four wickets remaining and 46 runs to chase.
Yet even with Southport Labrador’s Joshua Reid posing a constant threat on his way to figures of 3/33, Winton stood tall in recording his second half century of the season to partner his best bowling output of the 2022/23 summer.
The win keeps Queens in with a chance to leapfrog the likes of Palm Beach (12.3 points ahead) and Runaway Bay (14.8 points ahead) should results go their way, with all three of their remaining clashes against sides sitting beneath them on the ladder.
A loss for Palm Beach could have set up an even more enthralling finish to the Cricket Gold Coast competition, however against fellow heavyweights Broadbeach Robina they turned in a clinical display of batting.
After wet weather ensured the Cats were only able to face 30 overs on day one last week, where at one stage they were restricted to 4/7, a strong lower order effort spearheaded by Keegan Armstrong (42*) lifted them to be all out for 171.
But with Lions opener Jared Neuhaus piloting the innings (81) and a pair of dynamic performances from Cody Durante and Zane Beattie Palm Beach would not be denied.
Durante hit an unbeaten 52 from 34 deliveries, striking five sixes in the brutal knock while Beattie finished 39 not out off 31 balls.
Meanwhile a Harry Lickiss inspired Helensvale Pacific Pines threatened to secure an outright win over Burleigh.
Lickiss backed up his 6/30 last week to run through his rivals for just 82, before his quickfire 40 (24) along with Shaun Snyder’s unbeaten 47 helped thwart a palpable spell from Robert Lord (5/75), guided the Hornets to 8/203.
After the Hornets declared at 8/203, Burleigh’s Jasper Schoenmaker managed to stem a flow of wickets early in scoring a patient 58* as the Bull Sharks finished 6/153 in their second innings.
A half century to Runaway Bay’s Jayden Hoare then helped his side defeat Surfers Paradise, while Alberton Ormeau blew past Coomera Hope Island’s 198 to finish all out for 272.