State stars to feature in Gold Coast Dolphins’ women’s semi final clash with Sandgate-Redcliffe

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are preparing to fight fire with fire in their do-or-die Katherine Raymont Shield semi final against Sandgate-Redcliffe on Sunday.

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are preparing to fight fire with fire in their do-or-die Katherine Raymont Shield semi final against Sandgate-Redcliffe on Sunday.

Having finished the one-day season in second place, the Gators will host the elimination battle at 10am at Deagon and will be boosted by the presence of Queensland squad members Jemma Barsby, Georgia Prestwidge and Tess Cooper, with the Southern Stars’ Beth Mooney also a likely inclusion.

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Gold Coast Dolphins all-rounder Amy Riddell. Picture: Mike Batterham

But the Dolphins, who slumped to a two-wicket loss to Wests last weekend to finish third, will pack some punch of their own with Fire duo Delissa Kimmince and Sammy-Jo Johnson, as well as newly-crowned WNCL Player of the Year Georgia Redmayne (Tasmania).

Coast all-rounder Amy Riddell, who is likely to take on the captaincy duties against Sandgate, said the big-name inclusions only added to the Dolphins’ excitement.

“It makes the challenge harder but we love the challenge,” Riddell, 20, said.

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Southern Stars fast bowler Delissa Kimmince will play for the Dolphins on Sunday. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“We have three very talented state cricketers in our team too and (Sandgate) will be working on how to get our girls out as well. We have got a very talented squad and a lot of younger girls coming through that have done the job for us this season.

“We know that we just need to do the basics to the best of our ability. We definitely think we have got enough to get through to the final.”

The winner will play Wests or Valleys, who will play in the other semi final at Graceville, in the final at Allan Border Field on March 17.