CAREER-best figures of 7-27 by teenager Josh Butler put Mudgeeraba-Nerang in with a shout of a first-round outright victory against Coomera Hope Island on Saturday.
The 18-year-old Griffith University bachelor of business student, who has been with the Bushmen from junior days and cemented a first grade spot last season, bewildered the strong CHI batting line-up with 14.5 overs of tight and tidy left-arm spin.
Coomera, their hopes of chasing down 259 shattered when they lost three early wickets, were asked to bat again.
Butler (2-13) advanced his match figures to 9-40 as they laboured to 7-97 in their second innings but managed to hold out.
"It was a pretty special day," said the Plunkett Cup representative and former St Michael's College boy, whose father played in New Zealand and has been a long-time influence.
"If there is one cricketer I'd want to be like it's Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, who is the best leftie going around.
"My goals at the moment are representing Gold Coast, going to England next year to play some good, competitive cricket to improve my game, and eventually, hopefully, Queensland Country.
"People say Coomera are one of the better batting sides in the competition so that made it all the better.
"I've had a couple of six-fors on my way through but never seven. I'm loving it."
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