Gold Coast Dolphins’ second grade side edges closer to semi finals after dominate day against Wests

Gold Coast made hay while the sun shined on Saturday as a dominant first day against Wests moved them a step closer to the second grade semi finals.

GOLD Coast made hay while the sun shined on Saturday as a dominant first day against Wests moved them a step closer to the second grade semi finals.

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Entering the penultimate round in fourth spot but locked on 115 points with fifth-placed Ipswich-Logan, the Dolphins received a gift from the rain gods as the five other second-grade fixtures were washed out.

With Robina’s Bill Pippen Oval still playable, they capitalised on the chance pick up extra points to reach 3-87 at stumps in reply to Wests’ below-par 109.

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On a deck expected to suit the fast men, it was offspinner Ben Davis (7-47) who proved the destroyer before posting an unbeaten 26 as he and opener Canning Mason (38) led the run chase.

With Ipswich-Logan now set to battle Wynnum-Manly for one-day points only, a Dolphins victory would edge them towards a top-four finish and captain Pat Turner said he was all too aware of the need to produce their best against the Bulldogs.

Ben Davis (centre) celebrates a wicket with his Gold Coast teammates against Wests on Saturday. Picture: Steve Holland

“It was a really good day. We were pretty lucky to even get a game in considering no-one else got one in,” the 23-year-old quick said.

“I think it was working into our favour that we got told on Friday that we would definitely get a game in, so that was more of an incentive to do well. Any chance to get an advantage over other teams and cement a spot in finals is what you play for.

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“We wanted to play as well as we possibly could to cement a spot. In hindsight we probably should’ve put the foot down in our batting to get the win (on Saturday) afternoon.

“We don’t want to take any chances on making finals. I believe we should be there, we’ve got a pretty good second XI team.”

Dolphins captain Pat Turner. Picture: Steve Holland

Turner reserved praise for all-rounder Davis, who has 354 runs at 44.25 in second grade this season to go with 20 wickets at 18.45.

“He bowled really, really well. We were always going to win the toss and bowl considering the conditions,” he said.

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“For the pacemen there was enough there but then Ben came on and showed it was a spinners’ wicket. He took six wickets in that middle session and was just too hard to play.”

In first grade, day one of the Dolphins’ battle with Wests at Graceville was washed out, leaving them to play a 50-over fixture this Saturday.

SCOREBOARD

Second Grade - Wests 109 vs. Gold Coast 3-87 at Bill Pippen Oval