Gold Coast Dolphins secure historic first Twenty20 title
The Gold Coast Dolphins women’s side have finally won a title after defeating Valleys in Brisbane.
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THE Gold Coast Dolphins have smashed Valleys in Brisbane to secure their first Twenty20 title since entering the Katherine Raymont Shield.
After losing five title deciders across various formats since entering the first grade competition in 2013-14, the Dolphins can finally call themselves champions after a comprehensive victory at Allan Border Field.
Bowler Tara Wheeler said that the team was relieved to finally take out a title.
“We’ve had a bad run in finals but to finally get that monkey off the back is sensational,” she said.
“It was a tight contest at the start but to keep them below 100 runs and bring home the win is a great feeling.”
Coach Gary Lovett believes his side completely outclassed their opposition.
“We’re excited, the way they played today they totally outplayed them,” he said.
“We got their batters out early then strangled them with the bat and they couldn’t get into the game.”
Led by women of the match Carly Fuller (43 from 41 and one wicket) and Captain Amy Riddell (34 not out from 35), the Dolphins sailed past the Valleys total of 5-80 at with 9 wickets and 7.1 overs to spare.
The Dolphins decision to send Valleys into bat proved a masterstroke, as the Coast side dismissed opener Charli Knott with the third ball of the day and conceded only 23 runs in the first five overs.
Roxanne Thompson was best with the ball, taking two wickets and allowing only 13 runs from her four overs.
Knowing they needed only 80 runs for victory, the Dolphins were methodical in their run chase and took only 12.5 overs to secure victory.
DOLPHINS: DON’T WRITE US OFF YET
Fuller and Riddell combined for nine boundaries before Fuller was caught out on 43, paving the way for returning Hobart Hurricanes batter Georgia Redmayne and Riddell to chase down the remaining 11 runs.
Riddell secured victory with a four before embracing Redmayne as her teammates flooded the oval.
Lovett said he would let his side celebrate the win before focusing on replicating their success in the One Day competition.
“We’ll celebrate today because I want the girls to enjoy this and remember it forever,” he said.
“Our next step now is to focus on the one day matches and hopefully go back to back.”
The Dolphins currently sit fourth in the One Day competition and will face Sandgate Redcliffe next Sunday at Trevor Hohns oval.
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