Gold Coast Dolphins beat Wests by 37 runs to claim first Lord’s Taverners title since 2013-14

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are celebrating their first Lord’s Taverners title since 2013-14 after surviving a scare from Wests in today’s grand final at Allan Border Field.

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are celebrating their first Lord’s Taverners title since 2013-14 after surviving a scare from Wests in today’s grand final at Allan Border Field.

Riding a nine-game unbeaten streak into the decider, the Dolphins’ under-17 outfit secured a 37-run victory thanks largely to Aaron Densley’s run-a-ball 86 and a haul of 4- 39 from fast bowler Lachlan Crump.

Opening the batting, Densley took his season tally to 338 runs at 33.8 to steer the Coast to 8-276 from their 50 overs.

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The captain also received valuable support from first drop Crump (40) and middle-order duo Ethan Mikkelson (32) and Finn Smith (28), before Thomas Gossett and Darby Scott pitched in with 21 apiece down the order.

In reply, Wests sat precariously at 3-52 after Crump removed both openers, but a knock of 101 from skipper Lachlan Bell revived the Bulldogs’ hopes at 4-199.

The Gold Coast Dolphins' premiership-winning Lord's Taverners team at Allan Border Field.

However, his departure sparked a late flurry of wickets, with Crump grabbing the last two in the final over to end the scoring at 239.

Gossett (2-35), Mikkelson (1-21) and Austin Billing (1-24) did the damage through the middle of the innings.

“To win a premiership is brilliant because it’s an extremely competitive competition,” president Jeff Pfaff said.

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“The Tavs is a bit of a pointer to the future strength of the club and we’ve always had strong Taverners teams. There was a lot of depth (in the side) as well, they didn’t just rely on one or two players and you didn’t have the same matchwinner every week.

“We’re pretty lucky to have someone like Chris Swan (coach) who’s a former first class cricketer and from the Coast. You see the difference with someone who’s been there and done that.

“Tavs is a transition pathway from junior to senior cricket and if we were able to do that and not win a premiership we’d still be happy. Premierships are sort of an icing on the cake.”