Mudgeeraba all-rounder Howard Biddle says loss to Southport could be defeat Bushmen had to have
Captain Kyle Brockley smashed an unbeaten ton in Broadbeach Robina’s crushing win over Runaway Bay, while Mudgeeraba Nerang’s unbeaten run came to an end in Round 8 of the Kookaburra Cup on Saturday.
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IT could be the loss they had to have and Mudgeeraba Nerang are happy to embrace that philosophy after surrendering their perfect Kookaburra Cup record against Southport Labrador on Saturday.
Winners in five pre-season Twenty20s and their first six games of the season proper, the Bushmen finally had their colours lowered in Round 8 as Southport cruised to a five-wicket triumph at GUGC Oval.
Resuming at 1-27 after dismissing the visitors for 172 on day one, the Tigers finished 5-187 thanks largely to Simon Belton (66), Michael Alexander (39) and captain Nic Peterson (34 not out), with Bradley Munro (3-46) unable to spin Mudgeeraba to victory.
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With Helensvale Pacific Pines and Broadbeach Robina continuing their strong early-season form with wins over Palm Beach Currumbin and Runaway Bay respectively on Saturday, Bushmen all-rounder Howard Biddle said defeat against the Tigers was a much-needed wake-up call.
“Very rarely does a team go through the year without losing a game and you learn more from your losses than you do from your wins,” Biddle, who joined Mudgeeraba from the Gold Coast Dolphins in the off-season, said.
“I think we bowled really well but we let ourselves down last weekend when we didn’t score enough runs. For us to be all out for 170, that is what cost us the game.
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“It’s just a blip on the radar more than anything. We’re a very tight group of guys and we all back each other’s skills and ability. We’ve come together really well and we’ve been executing our plans really well.
“The culture around Mudgeeraba at the moment is fantastic. I love playing with the guys I’m with and the standard is really good.
“There’s some really good players in this comp and I think it’s going to be an interesting year.”
With captain Kyle Brockley smashing an unbeaten 106, Broadbeach (2-218 declared) made light work of Bay’s 126 on Saturday, before the Seagulls reached 3-130 in their second innings.
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Kaleb Day hit 63 for Helensvale (282) as they passed Palm Beach’s 201 with four wickets to spare at Salk Oval.
Blake Chapman took 5-18 as Queens beat Coomera Hope Island outright in a heart-stopper at Greg Chaplin Oval.
Mudgeeraba have the bye in Round 9 one-day fixtures today.
KOOKABURRA CUP ROUND 8 RESULTS
■ Mudgeeraba Nerang 172 def. by Southport Labrador 5-187
■ Runaway Bay 126, 3-130 def. by Broadbeach Robina 2-218 declared
■ Palm Beach Currumbin 201 def. by Helensvale Pacific Pines 282
■ Coomera Hope Island 76, 140 def. by Queens 124, 9-93
■ Surfers Paradise 7-334 declared def. Burleigh 220
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TODAY’S ROUND 9 FIXTURES
■ Palm Beach Currumbin vs. Alberton Ormeay
■ Southport Labrador vs. Burleigh
■ Surfers Paradise vs. Queens
■ Runaway Bay vs. Helensvale Pacific Pines
■ Coomera Hope Island vs. Broadbeach Robina
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