Gold Coast Dolphins loss to Sandgate before beating Wynnum in opening women’s T20s

THE batting issues that consigned Gold Coast’s women to defeat in their opening Twenty20 fixture became a distant memory as the defending champions bounced back to their 2018-19 form in today’s second outing at Bill Pippen Oval.

THE batting issues that consigned Gold Coast’s women to defeat in their opening Twenty20 fixture became a distant memory as the defending champions bounced back to their 2018-19 form in today’s second outing at Bill Pippen Oval.

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Stepping out in the shortest form for the first time since beating Valleys in last season’s T20 decider in January, the Dolphins split the first two games of their Katherine Raymont Shield premiership defence, overcoming a first-up loss to Sandgate-Redcliffe to beat newcomers Wynnum Manly/Redlands.

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Replying to the Gators’ 4-117, the hosts were left to wonder if they could have gone harder earlier after finishing their 20 overs at 4-97.

Carly Fuller bowls for Gold Coast against Sandgate-Redcliffe. Picture: Mike Batterham

Opener Amy Riddell, who has relinquished the captaincy to Belinda McDougall this season, posted 50 not out from 57 balls, while Tara Wheeler (1-12), Grace Parsons (1-16), McDougall (1-17) and Eliza Flynn (1-21) were the wicket-takers.

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Nothing was left to chance during the Dolphins’ second opportunity with the bat however, with Rebecca Van Helvoirt (54 not out), Riddell (40) and McDougall (22) helping their side to a healthy total of 4-140.

Ella Cornelius in the field. Picture: Mike Batterham

It was a target that proved too big for the Wynnum Manly/Redlands joint venture, who reached 6-126 despite the efforts of Melissa Lewis (1-14), McDougall (1-20), Fuller (1-25) and Wheeler (1-31).

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The Dolphins play their second double-header on Sunday against Wests and Ipswich-Logan at Amberley.