Southport Labrador’s Simon Belston believes Kookaburra Cup finals place secured if Surfers win

Southport Labrador captain-coach Simon Belston has declared his team will make the Kookaburra Cup finals if Surfers Paradise can convert their strong start against Queens into a win.

SOUTHPORT Labrador captain-coach Simon Belston has declared his team will make the Kookaburra Cup finals if Surfers Paradise can convert their strong start against Queens into a win.

Led by two-time Australia representative Nathan Reardon (3-35 and 49), the Demons hold the upper hand over Queens heading into the second day of their clash at Greg Chaplin Oval next Saturday.

Surfers are 3-65 chasing 138 for victory. Queens are currently fifth but will jump Mudgeeraba Nerang, who have the penultimate round bye, into the top four if they can defeat Surfers.

If they don’t, they’ll almost certainly cede fourth to Southport, who are in a commanding position at 2-112 in reply to Alberton Ormeau’s 153.

Belston was pumped up with that team-wide bowling effort against the side he considers the best batting outfit in the competition.

Simon Belston at the crease. Picture: Richard Gosling

When the 31-year-old was at Burleigh last year, the Bullsharks needed to beat Coomera Hope Island in the final round to make the play-offs – they did that and went on to win the premiership.

Ironically, Coomera again is the last round hurdle for Belston and he has full confidence that the Tigers will not slip up.

“I’m not going to speak too early but we’ll go on and beat Alberton. I think it’s all for Surfers Paradise to go and turn over Queens – and if that happens, we’ll be playing finals,” said Belston, who is unbeaten on 33.

“We’ve had a few disappointing rounds that has put us in the predicament that we’re in now, hence we’re waiting on other people’s results.

“Yes, we fancied ourselves. Yes, we were one of the favourites certainly to be locked into the top four. But we’re at the stage now where if someone wants to give us an inch, we’ll take a mile and it’s exactly what we did on Saturday.”

Tom Scriven made 29 for the Cats against Coomera Hope Island. Picture: Steve Holland

At Coomera, an unbroken 57-run stand between last pair Jaden Davis (28) and Izaac Latter (30) bumped Broadbeach Robina up from a decent score to a fairly formidable 9-297.

“We thought par was 260 to 270. That last wicket partnership was really crucial for us,” said coach Shane Davis.

“We place a lot of emphasis on the contributions from eight through to 11. It can be the difference between winning and losing games.”

Kaleb Day (92) and Jack Baird (69) helped Helensvale Pacific Pines pile on 8-305 against Runaway Bay (Travis Harker 4-88) while Burleigh skipper TJ Miller took 4-73 on his return to the bowling crease but could not stop Palm Beach Currumbin from reaching 229. The Bullsharks are 1-45 in reply.