Gold Coast Dolphins held to draw against last-placed Souths, while women secure twin T20 triumphs

GOLD Coast’s batsmen have again underlined their enormous potential but their efforts were not enough to steer the Dolphins to back-to-back victories against Souths today.

GOLD Coast’s batsmen have again underlined their enormous potential but their efforts were not enough to steer the Dolphins to back-to-back Queensland Premier Cricket victories against Souths.

A week after chasing down Ipswich-Logan’s 306 – the second time this season they’d pulled off a pursuit in excess of 300 – the Dolphins were today forced to settle for a draw despite piling on 9-456 on Saturday.

NATHAN TAKES THE LYONS’ SHARE FOR DOLPHINS

Having declared before the start of play on Sunday, the hosts’ bowlers were thwarted by the flat Bill Pippen Oval deck on day two as Souths reached 6-371 at stumps.

A 147-run opening stand between Kevin Chapman (96) and Jack Hargreaves (83) had laid the platform for a day of Dolphins on Saturday, before first drop Lewin Maladay (73) and no.4 Max Houlahan (60) continued the carnage to at one point have the hosts cruising at 2-305.

Dolphins batsmen Jack Hargreaves.

Wicketkeeper Mitch Daly (30) and tailenders Jackson Smith (39 not out) and Ben Davis (30) were also among the runs, while former Dolphin Callum Taylor took 5-110 from 23 overs for the visitors with his offspin.

DATE DECIDED FOR CUP’S T20 FINAL

Taylor (66) then showed his wares with the bat at no.6, but it was the performance of Magpies opener Liam O’Hare (126) that really did the damage against a Coast outfit missing frontline quicks Nathan Lyons and Josh Kann.

Despite the result, the Dolphins have jumped from seventh to fifth and are now just five points outside the top four ahead of the opening round of Twenty20s next weekend.

Kevin Chapman en route to 96.

In the women’s Katherine Raymont Shield, twin T20 triumphs have carried the Dolphins into the top two in the shortest form.

Entering Friday night’s game with a 2-2 win-loss record, Garry Lovett’s side (8-143) did enough to register a 14-run triumph over Ipswich-Logan (5-129) at Chelmer.

HAWKS READY TO SOAR FOR MILESTONE MAN

Laura Wolvaardt (62 off 43) and Carly Fuller (40 off 24) did the damage up front, before Amy Riddell (2-20) and Roxanne Thomson (2-21) delivered with the ball.

They then made light work of Sandgate-Redcliffe today, chasing down 119 with seven wickets and more than four overs to spare.

Carly Fuller starred for the Gold Coast Dolphins’ women.

Fuller’s 19-ball 41, which included five fours and three sixes, proved the major difference.

“It was a great weekend. Two from two and too good in both games,” Lovett said.

COAST CRICKETERS TURN SELECTORS

“Our bowling and fielding has been first class in both games and the batting, especially the top order, have totally blown the other teams away. To take on a strong Sandgate team with a couple of their state girls playing … was nothing but amazing for such a young group.

“To play in some of the hottest conditions today makes the result even more special. I could not have asked for any more out of the girls if I tried.”