Round 4 wrap: Reigning Taper Premier League champs reeling after fourth straight loss

Seven months after lifting the Kookaburra Cup trophy, reigning champions Surfers Paradise are nearly unrecognisable after suffering its fourth straight loss in the Taper Financial Premier League. ARE THEY OUT OF CONTENTION?

Seven months after lifting the Kookaburra Cup trophy, Surfers Paradise are nearly unrecognisable after suffering its fourth straight loss in the Taper Financial Premier League.

Going down to Burleigh by 80 runs on Saturday, the Demons side are struggling to fire after losing former Queensland cricketer Michael Phillipson to UQ and captain Claye Beams to South Brisbane’s Queensland Premier Cricket team in the off-season.

Burleigh batsman Nick Burton. Photo: Mike Batterham

Burleigh took advantage of the occasion to notch their second win of the season, with Nick Burton starring, taking 5/28 from seven overs and scoring 23 (10) not out.

Scott Sanderson was excellent with the bat, scoring 66 (87) alongside Matthew Grant 25 (57) and Jack Tate 33 (50).

Surfers struggled to hit the ground running with their highest run scorer of the day, Nick Williams, reaching 24 from 35 balls.

Surfers bowler Aaron Densley. Photo Mike Batterham

Captain Aaron Densley put out a solid performance despite the result, taking 3/48 and scoring 10 (10).

Over in Southport, Alberton Ormeau bounced back from their Round 2 controversy after the club submitted a complaint to the Gold Coast Cricket board surrounding an umpiring decision.

The ordeal was quickly forgotten as they defeated Southport Labrador by 16 runs, with William Hudgson taking 3/32 from eight overs and scoring 21 not out from 18 balls, including a four and a six.

Southport’s Mitchell Johnson did his best to stop the chase, bowling 4/19 from eight overs.

Down the highway, the pressure was on for Palm Beach to bounce back against Runaway Bay after losing their first game of the season to Mudgeeraba two weeks ago.

It was a disappointing loss to possibly the competition’s strongest side, but evidently gave the team a point to prove against last year’s runners up.

Burleigh batsman Harry Collier. Photo: Mike Batterham

Palm Beach’s Isaiah Borgas lived up to his reputation as a former Australia U19 representative, scoring 79 from 94 balls, including four fours, while bowler Jainam Patel was superb for the Lions taking 6/35 from 7.5 overs.

Runaway Bay captain and opening batsman Jayden Hoare gave his side a great start with a score of 58 from 84, but it wasn’t to be with the Lions taking a four wicket win at Salk Oval.

Helensvale defeated Coomera Hope Island by two wickets thanks to a half century from Sam Lickiss and bowler Chandima Bandara’s beautiful display with the ball, taking 5/27 from 7.3 overs.

Mudgeeraba notched their third straight win with a 5-run win over Broadbeach Robina.

Talha Anis scored 46 from 29 balls, with four fours and a six, Dayne Siede continued his fine form scoring 43 (58) and Griffith Williams played his role exceptionally well taking three early wickets to leave Broadbeach with their tails down.

English import Ryan Thorpe showed off his experience in the West of England Premier League, blasting 89 not out from 92 balls for the losing side, including nine fours and two sixes.

The win places Mudgeeraba and Helensvale on top of the competition ladder, with Queens and Alberton Ormeau taking third and fourth place.

Burleigh Batsman Rob Lord scored 13 (13). Photo: Mike Batterham