Washouts change the landscape of finals
SURFERS Paradise are within sight of the Kookaburra Cup semi-finals, while Broadbeach Robina have one hand on the minor premiership after another complete washout of first-grade action today.
With no play possible on day one of Round 15 fixtures last Saturday and Sunday’s Round 16 one-dayers, more heavy rain during the week has forced the abandonment of all play today.
Surfers’ (57 points) draw with Helensvale Pacific Pines (53) has kept them clear of a chasing pack that also includes Queens (47) and Coomera Hope Island (47), and means one win from their last two games – against Palm Beach Currumbin and Mudgeeraba Nerang – will seal fourth spot.
With third-placed Southport Labrador (63) also sharing the points with Broadbeach Robina, one more victory for the Tigers would book a topfour berth.
Chasing their first minor premiership since 2013-14, the Cats are one of the big winners from the recent deluge, with the ladder leaders now 16 points clear of Mudgeeraba Nerang and only able to be overtaken on percentage.
The two sides will meet in a top-of-the-table encounter at the Bushmen’s Nerang RSL Oval in the penultimate round on February 22-29.
Mudgeeraba host Surfers in their final fixture, while Broadbeach travel to Salk Oval to face Palm Beach.
A GOFUNDME page created to support the family of former Queens player Vikas Malhotra, who died of a heart attack during a third grade game against Surfers late last year, has now raised almost $28,000.