PRESSURE BRINGS DOLPHINS’ BEST
STAR THRIVING AS FINALS GET CLOSER
GOLD Coast’s leading batsman Liam Hope-Shackley says the pressure of having their finals chances on the line is bringing out the best in the Dolphins.
The Dolphins are a step closer to sealing a place in the Queensland Premier Cricket two-day finals after a fifth century from Hope-Shackley.
Chasing their first playoff appearance since 2013-14, the Dolphins set Sandgate-Redcliffe 277 on day one at Bill Pippen Oval on Saturday.
Gold Coast were in trouble early, losing 2-12 before Max Bryant (41 runs) and Hugo Burdon (46) steadied the ship. Enter Hope-Shackley. One of Gold Coast’s best performers this season stood up again, belting 13 fours on his way to 113 runs off 156 balls as Josh Kann assisted with 42.
With an upset victory over Wests last weekend and Norths’ shock loss to winless Souths, Gold Coast were clinging to fourth place by just 0.75 points going into the final round.
The Dolphins will regather and push for a win next weekend after finishing day one with a wicket as SandgateRedcliffe left the field at 1-25.
Hope-Shackley said the importance of the game wasn’t lost on the team.
“We had to set a good total, our season was banking on it,” he said. “The top order stood up and battled through and got some solid scores. A lot of times this season we haven’t done the tough work and we did that on the weekend.
“I have had a lot of experience with games like that so I’m used to it but a lot of the boys haven’t been in those finals situations and it’s like a quarterfinal for us.”
Hope-Shackley said his century, interrupted by rain, was one built from patience.
“With the rain around and going on and off the field a lot it was pretty hard conditions so it was extra rewarding to get the 100,” he said.
“Normally I’d say it is quite hard coming on and off but I found you couldn’t really get a rhythm anyway because the pitch was very tacky and wet.
“I almost found it mentally refreshing.
“You could get yourself ready and go back again.”
■ GOLD Coast’s first-grade women yesterday warmed up for the Katherine Raymont Shield finals with a 50-run win at home to Sandgate-Redcliffe.
The Dolphins, who posted 7-194 before bowling the visitors out for 144, will host fourth-placed Ipswich-Logan in a knockout semi on Sunday.