Alberton Ormeau president Beau Hawkins says new joint venture can make a statement in T20 final

ALBERTON Ormeau president Beau Hawkins says the joint venture has been given a golden opportunity to make a statement to its Cricket Gold Coast rivals after booking a ticket to next month’s Twenty20 grand final.

ALBERTON Ormeau president Beau Hawkins says the joint venture has been given a golden opportunity to make a statement to its Cricket Gold Coast rivals after booking a ticket to next month’s Twenty20 grand final.

Kookaburra Cup wooden-spooners last season, the Hurricanes continued their perfect run in CGC’s new pre-season T20 competition on Saturday with a 58-run win over Palm Beach Currumbin at Trevor Hammel Field.

Their fourth-straight victory came courtesy of Corey Galloway (42 not out) and Nick Yule (4-17), with the latter combing with Shane Connors (31) to lay the platform for a total of 6-150.

UNBEATEN TON CAN’T SAVE SIDE IN OPENER

Yule and Galloway (3-9) then delivered to coup de grace to skittle the Lions for 92 and book a showdown with fellow unbeaten side Southport Labrador in the October 13 final at Metricon Stadium.

Coomera Hope Island's Addy Grewal in action against Helensvale Pacific Pines on Saturday. Picture: Jerad Williams

Hawkins, who has overseen Alberton’s off-season merger with junior club Ormeau on the advice of CGC and Gold Coast City Council, said the club was desperate to build on the early momentum.

SUCCESS A MIND GAME FOR DOLPHINS

“(The final) is more help for the club to get its name out there and say ‘we’re not the same side as last year where everyone would come to the club expecting to win’. The boys have a real belief in their own ability,” Hawkins said.

“The merger has been really smooth. The people (from Ormeau) are easy to deal with and we have five senior sides this season for the first time in about 15 years.

Helensvale's Ryan Maloney. Picture: Jerad Williams

“(Ormeau) were started by a guy from our committee about 25 years ago and originally they had the same colours as well, so it like the wheel has gone full circle with us coming together.

“Our three big recruits have been massive. When you recruit key players like Shane Connors, Matt Yiend and Simon Mills, you’re hoping you will do well.”

CATS COACH WEIGHING FUTURE

Southport (9-135) also made it four from four against Surfers Paradise (84), with Matt Morris (65) and Simon Belston (4-22) doing the damage.

Helensvale Pacific Pines entered the final round as the only other team with a mathematical chance of making the final, but their hopes ended with a 42-run loss to Coomera Hope Island in their first game of the day.