Building momentum, not spoiling rivals’ Kookaburra Cup finals hope, the focus for Surfers Paradise

PUTTING the building blocks in place for an improved Kookaburra Cup effort next season will be the focus for Surfers Paradise over the next three weeks, despite the chance to spoil the finals party for their first grade rivals.

PUTTING the building blocks in place for an improved Kookaburra Cup effort next season will be the focus for Surfers Paradise over the next three weeks, despite the chance to spoil the finals party for their first grade rivals.

Rooted to the bottom of the ladder for much of the season, the Demons entered their penultimate fixture against Southport Labrador on Saturday with little to play for.

But with veterans Ryan Beere (67) and Chris Swan (49) leading the way, they showed fight to muster 183 at David Johnston Oval despite a haul of 5-36 from left-arm offspinner Oli McGee.

BURLEIGH HAPPY TO WATCH FINALS FIGHT

Opener Harry Maher then smashed a quickfire 50 to steer Southport to a position of power at 1-65 from 12 overs, with the eighth-placed Tigers desperate for victory to remain in the finals hunt.

Surfers will face another playoff aspirant in Queens in Round 17 before a bye to end the season, but Beere said dashing other teams’ dreams was not a motivating factor for his side.

Surfers Paradise batsman Ryan Beere en route to 67 against Southport Labrador on Saturday. Picture: AAP/Steve Holland

“For us, that’s not really that high on the to-do list. Whether it’s motivation to spoil the party (I don’t know), but it’s just winning games of cricket,” the 34-year-old wicketkeeper and opening batsman said.

“For us it’s just taking some momentum into next season so if we can win a good amount of games leading into the end of season I think we can take that into next season.

THE CUP STARS WHO COULD MAKE DOLPHINS MOVE

“It’ll be some confidence for the guys, scoring some runs and taking some wickets so we can end on a higher note.

“We’ve definitely underachieved this year, we didn’t have the worst side. There’s been a few key moments in games that we lost but if we’d won those we probably would’ve been finishing mid-pack. So it looks a lot worse than it is for us.

“There are some positives. With the bat in the last few games we’ve put it together and we’re batting to a plan, which is helping.

“It’s going to be tough (to beat Southport) with them finishing where they were at the end but I think we’re still in the game. The wicket was quite tricky at the start of the game and they bowled quite well.

“We’d have to take a few early ones next week but anything’s possible.”

DOLPHINS’ FINALS HOPES DASHED

Elsewhere on Saturday, captain Corey Galloway starred with 110 as Alberton Ormeau made 271 away to Queens, while Mudgeeraba Nerang reached 9-255 at home to Burleigh thanks to half-centuries from Zac Gayfer (55) and Dayne Siede (52).

At Sam Loxton Oval, Runaway Bay quick Harrison Foyle took 5-10 to have Coomera Hope Island on the ropes at 5-32 after his side made 197 on the back of Zach Hollis’ 63.

Helensvale Pacific Pines declared at 9-244 at Hession Oval, with Broadbeach Robina 1-32 in reply.