Kookaburra Cup finals dashed for Helensvale Pacific Pines following loss to Burleigh

Helensvale Pacific Pines will search for the one or two missing pieces that can lift it into the finals after missing the top four for a second straight season.

HELENSVALE Pacific Pines will search for the one or two missing pieces that can lift it into the finals after missing the top four for a second straight season.

The club ended it’s Kookaburra Cup first grade season, due to a bye this week, with a loss to Burleigh on Saturday.

Set a target of 209 to win on day one last weekend, Helensvale Pacific Pines were all out for 136 at Oz Strength Oval.

Helensvale’s run chase got off to a strong start, with openers Kaleb Day (32 runs) and Samuel Lickiss (52) putting on 72 runs before the latter fell.

First drop Jack Lickiss said his team just weren’t up for the fight after adding 27 more himself but that was where it fell apart for the fifth-placed team who were in the hunt for final with two rounds to go.

Kookaburra Cup cricket Burleigh vs. Helensvale Pacific Pines at John Handley Oval. Helensvale batsman Kaleb Day. (Photo/Steve Holland)

They lost the last seven wickets for just 10 runs, with Burleigh bowler Nathan James cleaning up with 4/44.

The club made the grand final final in 2018-19 before finishing eighth last season and while captain Jack Lickiss said they were disappointed with the back half of the 2019-20 campaign, it was by no means a failure.

“It has been a pretty disappointing way to finish the year,” Lickiss said.

“The key is going to be to try and keep the young core together, after this year we have another year of experience under our belts.

Kookaburra Cup cricket Burleigh vs. Helensvale Pacific Pines at John Handley Oval. Helensvale batsman Kaleb Day. (Photo/Steve Holland)

“We probably do need one or two more pieces to really contend.

“In saying that those one or two pieces could come from some of our younger guys stepping up into a bigger role.

“I don’t think it was personnel thing this season but moving into next season we will be looking for six or seven core members to step up and be those senior members of the group who take a bit more ownership.

Kookaburra Cup cricket Burleigh vs. Helensvale Pacific Pines at John Handley Oval. Burleigh bowler Aidan Crayton. (Photo/Steve Holland)

“We are happy about how some things went but can improve others. We will be working on those areas to make sure we improve on this year. Things are looking pretty good for us in the coming years.”