North Hobart and New Town will meet in the women’s CTPL one-day grand final after both posted massive victories to lock in the top two spots with a round to go.
The Greater Northern Raiders were also vying for a spot in the finale, but their premiership dreams were shattered by a ruthless North Hobart outfit at Invermay Park.
Batting first, the Raiders had no answers to the Demons bowling line up that tore through the hometown, rolling the Raiders for just 73.
Shelby Leonard (3-14) and Ava Baker (3-10) were the main destroyers in a team performance that was equally as impressive with the bat.
The Demons took just 15.3 overs to chase down the meagre target, losing only one wicket along the way, with Melodie Armstrong (39 not out from 43 balls) doing most of the damage.
New Town was just as impressive in its big win over Clarence, dismissing the Roos for 124 and cantering to victory in the 25th over for the loss of only two wickets.
Chloe Abel (3-26 and 28) was good with ball and bat, while teammate Tanja Lee’s 66 not out form 78 balls ensured the Bucks would be vying for the one-day crown.
In the men’s competition, the Raiders late form surge continued, knocking over Clarence on the road to keep them in fourth spot and with its finals spot in its own hands with one round to go.
Against the Roos strong bowling attack, the Raiders were in trouble at 8-181 but thanks to a rearguard action led by Billy Stanlake (51) and Dravid Rao (58 not out), the visitors posted a respectable 283.
This proved to be a formidable rather than respectable score as Lachlan Clark tore through the Roos batting on way to a career best 6-37.
Glenorchy is another right in the hunt after also fighting back to defeat New Town at New Town Oval.
The Pies were similarly in trouble at 6-131, but Glenorchy’s man for any crisis Jyles Horne (85) resurrected the innings as the visitors reached 242.
Now it was the turn of the Pies bowlers to dominate, as Braden Taeuber (4-42) and company reduced New Town to 5-9 at one stage, eventually bowling out the Bucks for 103.
Forced to follow on, the Bucks fared a bit better, making it to 5-130 to avoid an outright defeat but are now out of the finals running.
Glenorchy captain-coach Josh Hartill’s side remains one spot outside the top four thanks to the Raiders win over second-placed Clarence.
“We thought it was a bit of an upset in that game, and it makes our chances a little bit harder next week,” Hartill said.
“Hopefully we can just put our best forward and continue putting some good performances and hopefully get a win and then a couple other results might go our way and we might be able to sneak in there and see some finals.”
North Hobart has one hand on top spot with one round to go after overcoming Lindisfarne.
Most pleasing for the Demons is they keep finding different match-winners each round.
Last round Ben Fraser took 12 wickets for the game, and while he went wicketless in the Lightning’s first dig of 155, it was Harry Thomas stepping up with 5-33.
The Demons had to battle to chase down the target, but a crucial 70 from keeper-batter Aiden Bariol saw North make 213, secure the first innings win and then hold out a fightback from Lindisfarne to remain in first place on the ladder.
The runs flowed for South Hobart-Sandy Bay in its clash with crossroad rival University at Queenborough Oval.
Centuries to Tom Willougby (124) and veteran Sean Willis (111) saw the Sharks post an impressive 8-419 declared, a formidable target even the star-studded Lions batting lineup couldn’t get near.
Several of Uni’s batters got starts, but no one was able to push on to three figures before the Lions were bowled out for 276, with Caedence Kuepper the main beneficiary with career-best figures of 6-61.