Kookaburra Cup washouts a blessing for some & curse for others, as Brent O’Neill writes

The complete washout of an action-packed weekend of Kookaburra Cup cricket may not have settled the top-four race but the chasing pack will be ruing a missed opportunity to close the gap, as Bulletin cricket writer Brent O’Neill discusses.

IT’S been a blessing for some and a curse for others.

The complete washout of an action-packed weekend of Kookaburra Cup cricket may not have settled the top four race but the chasing pack will be ruing a missed opportunity to close the gap.

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There are now just five days of cricket left before finals and with the teams sitting fifth (Helensvale Pacific Pines – 49 points), sixth (Queens – 47pts) and seventh (Coomera Hope Island – 43pts) all having a bye in the last three rounds, time is running out to make a late charge.

BACK AND BUB CAN’T KEEP CROC OUT OF CUP CHARGE

The top four of Broadbeach Robina (89pts), Mudgeeraba Nerang (73pts), Southport Labrador (59pts) and Surfers Paradise (53pts) now hold their destiny well and truly in their own hands.

Rain washed out Sunday’s one-day games and day one of Saturday’s Round 15 fixtures, meaning day two will become a fight for reduced points.

Broadbeach Robina captain Kyle Brockley. Picture: Steve Holland

With Surfers hosting Helensvale and Broadbeach Robina doing battle with Southport, that could prove crucial.

Even with a top-of-the-table clash looming against Mudgeeraba in the penultimate round, defending champions Broadbeach now have one hand on the minor premiership – an achievement that has eluded them since 2013-14.

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After facing the Cats, Southport meanwhile play two battlers in Runaway Bay and last-placed Alberton Ormeau, with one win likely to be enough to reach the semi finals.

Surfers Paradise batsman Jackson Driscoll. Picture: Steve Holland

That leaves one playoff spot up for grabs.

For Surfers, the equation is simple – beat Helensvale and then win one of their last two games against Palm Beach Currumbin and Mudgeeraba.

LETHAL CROCS, LYONS ROARS & GAME OF THE SEASON - FIVE THINGS

Having claimed last season’s wooden spoon, the Demons are already big winners in 2019-20 but they will be hoping there is more success to come.

But with their seasons on the line, the teams giving chase will have other plans.

Jamie Saunders and his Helensvale Pacific Pines teammates need to come home with a wet sail. Picture: Mike Batterham

KOOKABURRA CUP LADDER

1. Broadbeach Robina 89

2. Mudgeeraba Nerang 73

3. Southport Labrador 59

4. Surfers Paradise 53

5. Helensvale Pacific Pines 49

6. Queens 47

7. Coomera Hope Island 43

8. Palm Beach Currumbin 33

9. Runaway Bay 31

10. Burleigh 28

11. Alberton Ormeau 15