Queens focused on Kookaburra Cup positives ahead of must-win final round against Broadbeach

QUEENS veteran Sam Winton is refusing to give up hope of a finals miracle but says the Kookaburra Cup campaign has been a success of sorts regardless.

QUEENS veteran Sam Winton is refusing to give up hope of a finals miracle but says the Kookaburra Cup campaign has been a success of sorts regardless.

Semi finalists every season since 2014-15, the Centaurs are staring down the barrel of an early exit after a disastrous four-wicket loss to last-placed Surfers Paradise on Saturday.

Resuming at 3-65 chasing 138 for victory, the Demons looked in trouble at Greg Chaplin Oval as they slipped to 5-66 before Chris Swan (50) and Ryan Beere (18) steered them to 182 all out.

BAY VETERAN WINDING BACK THE CLOCK

The result, coupled with upset wins for Southport Labrador and Palm Beach Currumbin over Alberton Ormeau and Burleigh respectively, has left Queens in seventh spot heading into the final round.

It is a marked fall from grace for a side that won consecutive titles in 2015-16 and 2016-17, as well as last season’s minor premiership, but Winton is focused on the upsides.

Sam Winton bowls for Queens on Saturday as Chris Swan watches on. Picture: Richard Gosling

“As a personal opinion, (the season) has been pretty disappointing but as a club we have uncovered a few young kids with Mitch Freeman and Jack Kann. They’re going to be future A grade players for the club so it’s been a positive there,” said the 30-year-old, who watched brother and new-ball partner Jack claim 5-59 on Saturday.

“Cricket’s a funny game. This year every side’s more consistent. Whoever turns up on the day (wins) whereas in previous seasons it’s been the top four or five teams and then the rest can be pretty average.

COAST BROTHERS READY TO DO BATTLE

“We haven’t had the best year with the bat, to be honest. When we’re on we’re on and when we’re not we’re very below par.

“We have got to rely on a few results now to get us to where we need to be. But all credit to Swanny and Beerey for showing a bit of ticker.”

The Centaurs must now beat third-placed Broadbeach Robina in the final round and hope Southport (home to Coomera Hope Island), Palm Beach (home to Runaway Bay) and Mudgeeraba Nerang (home to Helensvale Pacific Pines) all lose.

ROUND 17 SCOREBOARD

■ Queens 137 def. by Surfers Paradise 182

■ Helensvale Pacific Pines 8-305 def. Runaway Bay 125

■ Broadbeach Robina 9-297 def. Coomera Hope Island 140

■ Palm Beach Currumbin 229 def. Burleigh 141

■ Alberton Ormeau 153 def. by Southport Labrador 2-112 (day two washed out, Tigers win on runs percentage)

LADDER

Burleigh 80

Alberton Ormeau 73

Broadbeach Robina 67

Southport Labrador 56

Palm Beach Currumbin 55

Mudgeeraba Nerang 53

Queens 50

Helensvale Pacific Pines 45

Coomera Hope Island 42

Runaway Bay 42

Surfers Paradise 39