Broadbeach & Mudgeeraba go two from two, with champions Alberton Ormeau also winning T20 opener

REIGNING champions Alberton Omeau picked up where they left off as two new forces signalled their intentions for the Kookaburra Cup pre-season Twenty20 competition in Saturday’s opening fixtures.

REIGNING champions Alberton Omeau picked up where they left off as two new forces signalled their intentions for the Kookaburra Cup pre-season Twenty20 competition in Saturday’s opening fixtures.

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Unbeaten title winners in 2018-19, Alberton opened their defence with a comfortable 43-run victory over Coomera Hope Island, while Broadbeach Robina and Mudgeeraba Nerang both recorded comfortable wins in their two outings.

One of the stars of last season, all-rounder Shane Connors again showed his class for Hurricanes, smashing 47 from 40 balls in his side’s total of 7-142 at Oxenford.

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With Coomera seemingly in the hunt at 2-71 in reply, Connors (3-16) then helped tear through the Crocs’ middle order as they lost 8-28 to be all out for 99.

Broadbeach Robina’s batsmen had no such troubles, with openers Steven Baker (44) and Kyle Brockley (46) laying the platform for a total of 3-147 against Runaway Bay, who finished 7-109 in pursuit.

Nic Peterson made 44 as Southport Labrador beat Burleigh by seven wickets. Picture: Steve Holland

With the help of Ryan Armstrong (41), Baker (30) was at it again second time around as the Cats posted 7-130 against Surfers Paradise.

The Demons never got going in the run chase, reaching 6-94 at the end of their 20 overs thanks largely to Wayne Phillips’ unbeaten 31.

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Tipped by many to be among the big improvers this season, Mudgeeraba Nerang (3-103) made light work of Helensvale Pacific Pines, who posted 5-101 on the back of Kaleb Day’s run-a-ball 37.

Burleigh's Jimmy Spargo. Picture: Steve Holland

Off-season recruits Kevin Chapman (44 not out) and Howard Biddle (32 not out) led the run chase for the Bushmen, who overcame a shaky start to cruise home in the 19th over.

Dayne Siede (35 not out) and Josh Nelson (38 not out) then starred with the bat against Runaway Bay, whose total of 9-98 was overhauled with eight wickets and more than five overs to spare.

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Southport Labrador signing Michael Alexander bagged 4-6 to help restrict Burleigh to 9-106 at Arundel, before he and Nic Peterson both made 44 to steer the Tigers home at 3-109 in the 15th over.

T20 ROUND 1 RESULTS

■ Burleigh 9-106 def. by Southport Labrador 3-109

■ Helensvale Pacific Pines 5-101 def. by Mudgeeraba Nerang 3-103

■ Alberton Ormeau 7-142 def. Coomera Hope Island 99

■ Broadbeach Robina 3-147 def. Runaway Bay 7-109

■ Broadbeach Robina 7-130 def. Surfers Paradise 6-94

■ Coomera Hope Island 8-135 def. Palm Beach Currumbin 102

■ Queens 4-130 def. Helensvale Pacific Pines 94

■ Runaway Bay 9-98 def. by Mudgeeraba Nerang 2-99