Gold Coast beat Wests and Souths down Norths to put Dolphins on course for first-grade finals berth

Another classy Hugo Burdon ton and a massive favour from winless Souths has put Gold Coast’s Queensland Premier Cricket finals destiny in their own hands ahead of the last round.

ANOTHER classy Hugo Burdon ton and a massive favour from winless Souths has put Gold Coast’s Queensland Premier Cricket finals destiny in their own hands ahead of the last round.

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Entering today’s rain-enforced one-day games seven points adrift of fourth-placed Norths, the Dolphins moved into the playoff positions courtesy of two vital upsets.

The first came when struggling Souths (7-212) chased down Norths’ 209 at Ian Healy Oval, before Gold Coast wrapped up a 44-run win away to premiership heavyweights Wests.

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Led by Burdon’s 115 from 138 balls - his second century of the season - and contributions form Jack Hargreaves (44), Matthew Grant (21 not out) and Josh Kann, the visitors amassed 9-269 before Kann (3-46), Matt Kuhnemann (2-33) and Liam Hope-Shackley (2-38) combined to dismiss the Bulldogs for 225 in the 48th over.

Gold Coast Dolphins batsman Hugo Burdon scored a crucial hundred in today’s win over Wests. Picture: Steve Holland

The results mean Gold Coast will enter next Saturday’s season-ending two-dayer at home to Sandgate-Redcliffe (10th) knowing a first-innings victory should be enough to book their first finals appearance since 2013-14.

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Norths travel to Wynnum-Manly (7th) in their last fixture.

SCOREBOARD

Gold Coast 9-269 def. Wests 225