Defending T20 champions Alberton Ormeau embracing pressure ahead of title defence

REIGNING Twenty20 champions Alberton Ormeau are embracing a new-found weight of expectation as they prepare to launch their title defence against Coomera Hope Island tomorrow.

REIGNING Twenty20 champions Alberton Ormeau are embracing a new-found weight of expectation as they prepare to launch their title defence against Coomera Hope Island tomorrow.

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Written off as a genuine threat in Cricket Gold Coast’s inaugural pre-season T20 competition last season, the Hurricanes defied the odds to go unbeaten en route to the crown.

Their defeat of Southport Labrador in December’s final was part of a golden summer in which they claimed the minor premiership in the season proper and also reached the grand final before falling to Broadbeach Robina.

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With a largely unchanged playing group, captain Corey Galloway said his side was well aware they had become the hunted in 2019-20.

“I would say there’s a little bit more pressure than last year because we weren’t expected to do anything,” the offspinning all-rounder said.

“This year there is a little bit of pressure because people think we will be up there again, but I think that’s a good thing. If you play good under pressure it shows how good a team you are.

Alberton Ormeau batsman Josh Kelly goes on the attack against Southport Labrador in last season’s T20 final. Picture: Jessy Hart

“We are (confident). I think this format is probably our best in a way because that’s how we play the game. We’re aggressive from the start so I think we should do well again.

“We take this (competition) seriously because if we win this it gives you momentum and confidence going into the season. That’s what happened to us last season.”

The Hurricanes are one of six teams - Southport Labrador, Burleigh, Surfers Paradise, Palm Beach Currumbin and Queens are the others - that will play a single fixture tomorrow, with the other half of the competition featuring twice.

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With Mudgeeraba Nerang boosted by the arrival of Gold Coast Dolphins quartet Kevin Chapman, Josh Nelson, Howard Biddle and Mitch Daly, and Burleigh picking up Queensland Country batsman Jimmy Spargo from Queens, Galloway tipped the two clubs to challenge for the T20 title.

Hurricanes captain Corey Galloway. Picture: Jason O'Brien

“(Mudgeeraba) are going to have that experience and they normally play good as a team. Burleigh (will be up there) because Jimmy has gone there so they’ve got Spargo and (Rhys) McCarthy as the two strong bats.”

NEW FACE AT BAY AS SKIPPER DEPARTS

SATURDAY 10AM

■ Southport Labrador vs. Burleigh

■ Helensvale Pacific Pines vs. Mudgeeraba Nerang

■ Coomera Hope Island vs. Alberton Ormeau

■ Runaway Bay vs. Broadbeach Robina

SATURDAY 2PM

■ Broadbeach Robina vs. Surfers Paradise

■ Coomera Hope Island vs. Palm Beach Currumbin

■ Helensvale Pacific Pines vs. Queens

■ Runaway Bay vs. Mudgeeraba Nerang