Southport Labrador and Alberton Ormeau on track for Gold Coast T20 final after weekend wins

SOUTHPORT Labrador’s stunning pre-season T20 form has come as no surprise to player-coach Simon Belston, who says the Tigers have to talent to carry their momentum into the Kookaburra Cup.

SOUTHPORT Labrador’s stunning pre-season T20 form has come as no surprise to player-coach Simon Belston, who says the Tigers have to talent to carry their momentum into the Kookaburra Cup.

Sixth overall in Cricket Gold Coast’s mixed first grade competition last season, the Tigers made it three T20 wins from three on Saturday with bonus-point victories over Runaway Bay and Mudgeeraba Nerang at Arundel.

QUEENS STAR STILL FINDING PLAYER-COACH BALANCE

The results leave Southport and Alberton Ormeau, who thumped Broadbeach Robina at Trevor Hammel Field, as the only unbeaten teams heading into the T20 competition’s third and final round this Saturday.

While others can mathematically catch them, the two sides now have one foot in the final, to be played at Metricon Stadium on October 13.

Surfers Paradise's Jared Sandford bowls against Burleigh on Saturday. Picture: Jerad Williams

For Belston, who has joined the Tigers after steering Burleigh to last season’s Kookaburra Cup crown, success has never been in question.

“I’m not surprised, I’m put in there to do a job. It’s a good place to be around,” he said.

“Over the last 12 weeks I’ve been around the club in pre-season and they’ve made me feel welcome, which is very important to me, the boys are right behind us. It’s free-flowing.”

COAST MASTER BLASTER’S METRICON DREAM

The Tigers made light work of Runaway Bay, skittling them for 62 inside 19 overs before cruising to victory with seven wickets and more than 12 overs to spare.

Having secured a double bonus point, Southport (6-141) then backed it up against Mudgeeraba (8-91) on the back of an 87-run opening stand from Nic Peterson (45) and Harry Maher (42).

Oliver McGee also shone with 4-9 from four overs.

Burleigh batsman Jayden Hoare. Picture: Jerad Williams

Alberton (6-214) flexed their muscle with a bonus-point win over Broadbeach (7-114), with top-order batsmen Matthew Yiend (86) and Josh Kelly (59), and medium-pacer Shane Connors (3-17) the standouts.

Ben O’Connell top-scored for the Cats with 49, while Jack Kann took 3-44.

MAX EFFORT IN DOLPHINS’ CAPTAINCY CHALLENGE

At Hession Oval, a Chris Swan masterclass of 4-16 helped Surfers Paradise chase down Burleigh’s 8-108 with six wickets and two overs to spare.

Jayden Hoare top-scored with 22 not out for the Bullsharks, while Nathan Reardon made 28 for the Demons.

ROUND 2 RESULTS

■ Runaway 62 def. by Southport Labrador 3-63

■ Queens 4-135 def. by Coomera Hope Island 7-139

■ Burleigh 8-108 def. by Surfers Paradise 4-109

■ Palm Beach Currumbin 8-120 def. by Helensvale Pacific Pines 3-122

■ Alberton Ormeau 6-214 def. 7-114

■ Southport Labrador 6-141 def. Mudgeeraba Nerang 8-91