BATTLE FOR KOOKA CUP FIRST GRADE TITLE
A LONG-SPANNING premiership drought is set to be broken this weekend as Surfers Paradise and Runaway Bay look to etch a new piece of history on to the walls of their respective clubs.
The duo will compete in the Kookaburra Cup first grade grand final, set to be held across Saturday and Sunday at Sam Loxton Oval.
It’s been 17 years since Surfers Paradise lifted the trophy and 29 for Runaway Bay, who last celebrated a title win in the top grade in 1993.
An emotional Runaway Bay president Travis Harker was nearly brought to tears talking about a potential win for his club, highlighting the enormous work done by the often thankless volunteers who have spent years helping propel the teams towards success.
“I have been at the club for 20 years and it would mean so much to everyone here to win it,” Harker said.
“Everyone works so tirelessly here and they are all volunteers. They just love the club.”
Surfers Paradise player Claye Beams said the club’s appearance in the grand final was the culmination of a journey that started when he and Scott Day took the reins four years ago.
“We have had a similar group that has been together since we came on and changed a few things,” Beams said.
“Each year we have improved and the players have matured.
Now they are seeing the results of it. We have made sure that there has been a relaxed environment at the club. We went from training twice a week to doing one session, trying to train for quality, not quantity.
“Blokes are enjoying their cricket and playing free. We have created an environment where people want to play.
Surfers Paradise had high expectations coming into the season, particularly after bringing in batsman Michael Philipson who has gone on to score 529 runs at an average of 40.69 this season.
The team lost its first game of the season back in October but have lost just four from the remaining 15 games to put themselves in the frame for the trophy.
“Our squad didn’t change much coming into the season,” Beams said.
“We expected to be up there challenging again. Michael Philipson is a class player and has been an absolute jet for us.
“We started the season well but lost some momentum with the stops and starts after Christmas.
“We had a couple of losses at the back end of the season and I think it was the shake up we needed.
“Everyone is obviously excited for the grand final. We are pretty pumped. With the way the last season or two has panned out, with weather and Covid affecting them, it is great to be able to reach the grand final.
“Hopefully we can go one step further and take it out.”