Thunder’s mighty Bull Masters showing leads to final showdown at the Gabba

Thunder say learning on the run has been the key at the Bulls Masters Country Challenge.

THUNDER coach Simon Belston says learning on the run has been the key to Gold Coast securing a spot at the Bulls Masters Country Challenge final at the Gabba.

The representative team yesterday locked in their passage to the decider against North Queensland after progressing through Bundaberg’s preliminary matches across the weekend.

A January 19 showdown at the fabled Brisbane venue now looms for a side who are still learning how to get a handle on the cut-throat Twenty20 format.

SECRET BEHIND HAWKS SUCCESS

“We haven’t been to the Gabba for six or seven years so it’s a great effort,” Belston said.

“It’s a huge achievement and there has been some real work that went in.

“It’s been a fantastic weekend and I’m really proud.

“But we have still only done the first job of making the final; we have to finish the job.”

Belston said an all-round performance paved the way.

“I can’t single out one or two players,” he said.

KOOKABURRA CUP SEASON GUIDE

Southports's Simon Belston in action this season. (Photo/Steve Holland)

“We found the balance between batting and bowling and just got it right and learnt along the way.”

First-year coach Belston, who is a player/coach at Southport Labrador in the Kookaburra Cup, admitted he too was learning on the fly.

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“It’s very different to anything I’ve coached and I’m grateful just to have the opportunity,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve done this kind of thing where I’ve separated myself from the playing group (solely as a coach).

“It’s a different feel and I’m just hoping to learn more and more and improve my own coaching.”

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The Thunder played SEQ in their tournament opener on Saturday morning and, in the chase for vital points, ran down the 61-run target within eight overs.

“When you come to these tournament net run rate comes into it a lot so we knew we had to get those runs,” Belston said.

A loss to Mackay/Whitsundays on Saturday afternoon made yesterday’s fixture must-win games.

“We reflected on a few things and worked out how we could have improved from that,” Belston said.

The Thunder bounced back to beat North Queensland and then Darling Downs yesterday to progress to the decider.