Early haul from quick not enough to save Gold Coast Dolphins in Brisbane Premier Grade cricket

THE Gold Coast Dolphins were still no match for Toombul in their Brisbane Premier Grade match against Toombul at Ken Mackay Oval today.

THEY needed early wickets — and Xavier Bartlett delivered.

But the Gold Coast Dolphins were still no match for Toombul in their Brisbane Premier Grade match against Toombul at Ken Mackay Oval today.

After another moderate effort with the bat on the opening day in Brisbane last Saturday left them defending a total of just 248, the Dolphins were long odds to snare points.

But Bartlett stuck twice early on, dismissing openers Saad Ashraf (19) and Brian Sanders (18) cheaply.

Xavier Bartlett (middle) with Max Bryant (left) and Nathan McSweeney was part of Australia’s team for the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Photo: AAP

With Toombul suddenly reeling at 2-59, the Dolphins seemed a chance, especially when Bartlett — a tearaway quick who was part of Australia’s team at the recent under-19 World Cup — claimed the scalp of Cameron Leeder for just nine.

But run machine Tom Rowley steadied the ship for Toombul, tearing the Dolphins’ attack apart.

Rowley fell just short of a double ton, making 191 — an innings which included 28 fours and seven sixes — before being dismissed by Liam Hope-Shackley.

Bartlett and Matthew Kuhnemann claimed three wickets each, with Hope-Shackley and Daniel Doran both taking two wickets as Toombul were dismissed for 331.

The Dolphins take on the University of Queensland at St Lucia next week in the final round of fixtures.

Xavier Bartlett in action for the Dolphins. Photo: AAP