Gold Coast Dolphins’ strong run of form in Katherine Raymont Shield ends with 25-run loss to Wests

A “BIZARRE” feature of the Katherine Raymont Shield draw conspired to end Gold Coast’s sparkling run of form as the Dolphins slipped to a 25-run loss to Wests at Robina yesterday.

A “BIZARRE” feature of the Katherine Raymont Shield draw conspired to end Gold Coast’s sparkling run of form as the Dolphins slipped to a 25-run loss to Wests at Robina yesterday.

With morale at an all-time high on the back of four Twenty20 victories in six games, the Dolphins crashed back to earth in their one-dayer at Cheltenham Oval after being bowled out for 167 in reply to the visitors’ 7-192.

The game was the first of two 50-over fixtures ahead of the Christmas break, with the competition to resume on January 6 with more T20 matches.

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While not blaming the draw for yesterday’s defeat, coach Garry Lovett admitted his troops struggled to readjust to the 50-over grind after hitting stride in the shortest form.

“We all spoke about how to bat adjusting to a 50-over game from a T20 and I think that’s probably what let some of the girls down a bit,” Lovett said.

Giselle Parmenter bats for Gold Coast against Wests at Cheltenham Oval yesterday. Picture: Tim Marsden

“Jumping out of the T20 competition to come back for two one-day games, I’ve got no idea why they’ve done that. And then when we come back from Christmas we’ve got T20s again. It’s bizarre.”

Taking on a Wests outfit boasting Brisbane Heat duo Courtney Sippel and Meagan Dixon, the Dolphins were in the game at the innings break after Hiruni Liyanarachchi Don (2-24) led the way with the ball.

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Their reply appeared on track as the top four of Carly Fuller (25), Chelsea Gan (31), Amy Riddell (14) and Rebecca Van Helvoirt (23) made inroads, but a late collapse ended their pursuit with six overs remaining.

“We actually bowled pretty good. They all did a job with the ball but there was a stage in the middle there where we just went through the motions and they probably put a quick 30-40 on us,” Lovett said.

Teenage batter Chelsea Gan. Picture: Richard Gosling

“We got off to a pretty good start (with the bat). With Chelsea there we were right in it but we lost clumps of wickets and that was one thing we spoke about at the start of the game.

“We seemed to lose one, two, got going again, lost another one, two so it was really hard for the young girls to get that score. They’re a good side, Wests, and we gave ourself a chance to win but we just lost our way a little bit.

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“It was a little disappointing but I think we were due for one of those games. We were probably due for a bad one.”

Despite the result, the Dolphins remain in the one-day top four ahead of Sunday’s home clash with University of Queensland.