Captain Dylan McLaughlin expects healthy competition for Mudgeeraba Nerang First Grade spots this weekend against the Cats

Mudgeeraba Nerang captain Dylan McLaughlin expects Bushmen selectors to face a tough task this weekend as the first grade side prepares to welcome back five players from representative duties following another Kookaburra Cup win.

MUDGEERABA Nerang captain Dylan McLaughlin expects Bushmen selectors to face a tough task this weekend as the first grade side prepares to welcome back five players from representative duties following another Kookaburra Cup win.

PERERA ADDS SRI LANKAN FLAVOUR TO SURFERS REVIVAL

Connor Brown, Kevin Chapman, Mitch Daly, Brad Munro and Josh Nelson were all absent on Gold Coast Thunder duties as Mudgeeraba Nerang continued their unbeaten four game streak to remain in touch with Broadbeach Robina on top of the ladder.

Mudgeeraba Nerang’s Zac Gayfer runs between wickets with Dayne Seide during Round 5 of the Kookaburra Cup Cricket Gold Coast first grade competition. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Coming up against Runaway Bay, the Bushmen successfully defended their first innings target of 222, built on the back of a half century to Dayne Siede, eventually bowling the Seagulls out for 181 in the 37th over.

With all promoted players having a say in Mudgeeraba Nerang’s 41 run win, McLaughlin expects healthy competition for spots ahead of their top of the table clash against the Cats this weekend.

“Obviously they’re all great players but the boys who filled in performed well,” he said.

“It’s good for the club to see that they can come into the side and fill a role.

“We’ll be welcoming the Thunder boys back but it might be a bit tricky with selection this week.”

Mudgeeraba Nerang’s Zac Gayfer plays a shot as Runaway Bay Keeper Judd Markham looks on during Round 5 of the Kookaburra Cup Cricket Gold Coast first grade competition. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

The Bushmen lost opener Howard Biddle for 13 early in the first innings before Zac Gayfer and Dayne Siede piled on 72 runs to help steer their side towards the 200’s.

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A fine century to Rhys Howarth was the main highlight for the Seagulls before Biddle claimed his wicket for 108 and tore through the tail end to finish with match best figures of 5/23.

“We started off well but Rhys getting 100 kept us nervous the whole way through,” McLaughlin said.

“We were confident of defending our total.

“We knew we just had to keep bowling to our areas.”

Runaway Bay’s Spinner Peter Lynch Bowls against Mudgeeraba Nerang during Round 5 of the Kookaburra Cup Cricket Gold Coast first grade competition. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

With six games left before the Christmas break, McLaughlin flagged batting as the Busmen’s main area of concern.

“Our batting still needs a bit of work,” he said.

“We need to get our tempo right because batting first, it’s a bit unknown what you need to score.”

In other Kookaburra Cup fixtures, Palm Beach Currumbin defeated Burleigh, Alberton Ormeau lost to Coomera Hope Island, Helensvale Pacific Pines fell to Suffers Paradise and Broadbeach Robina beat Southport Labrador.

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SCOREBOARD

Mudgeeraba Nerang 7/222 (Dayne Siede 53, Zac Gayfer 46; Travis Harker 2/34) defeated Runaway Bay 10/181 (Rhys Howarth 108, Michael Narracott 14; Howard Biddle 5/23) at Sam Loxton Oval