It ended more with a fizzle than a bang, but North Hobart capped off its dominant season with its second women’s CTPL trophy of the season.
The Demons added the one-day Kookaburra Cup trophy to its cabinet alongside this season’s T20 title after the grand final against New Town was abandoned because of rain.
North Hobart only secured top spot on the 50-over ladder courtesy of a victory over New Town in the last roster game of the year, proving to be a decisive result.
Demons skipper Ella Marsh said her side knew how important it was to finish on top of the ladder by defeating the Bucks in the last roster game to leapfrog New Town.
“It was almost like we played our grand final last weekend,” Marsh said.
“We played them last week in the howling winds and the rain, and then we managed to get a game on then, but obviously this week we couldn’t quite get the game on.
“We knew that we wanted to make top of the table, we obviously didn’t know the weather was going to be bad this Sunday, but that was our goal.
“So, we put our best foot forward and made sure that we really put our best chance on finishing top of the table so we could host the Grand Final.”
The win caps off a big season for the Demons, and rubberstamps North Hobart as the powerhouse club of women’s cricket.
The Demons have completed the trophy double previously, but Marsh said this season’s triumphs had a different feel to previous victories.
“I think this one’s a bit different, this one we had lots of young girls in our side,” she said.
“We’re less inexperienced than the team that did it before and I think just being able to have so many of our young girls actually playing in the game and performing and doing well, this one means a lot.
“I think Stef Daffara has been working with our under-14s for at least about four years now.
“They’re now not under-14 anymore, but I think that core group she's built, they've built their skills, their development and now that they're able to go out and play first grade and actually contribute and perform.
“I think it's a really good testament to our program and how much effort we put into our women's program at North Hobart.”
Despite the rain forcing the end of the game, the Demons would have still felt they were in control of proceedings.
After bowling out the Bucks for 155, they were 1-20 in reply when forced from the ground.
It was yet another team performance from the Demons with the ball, with Clare Scott (3-27), Shelby Leonard (2-33) and Nicola Carey (2-21) all chipping in to keep the Bucks under control.
Bethany Lane was the standout for New Town, making a patient 63 from 110 deliveries as wickets fell around her.
Fittingly, the last round of the men’s competition was a thriller that mirrored the tightness of the league all season.
The Greater Northern Raiders fairytale season almost turned into a nightmare on the final day of competition.
After being in the bottom two all season, the Raiders jumped into the top four courtesy of some strong form with three rounds to go and were third going into the last round.
They appeared set for victory against bottom team New Town defending 254 and then having the Bucks in big trouble at 9-226.
But some swashbuckling batting from No.9 Tyler Willmott, who cracked five fours and two sixes in his 46 not out from 36 balls, and solid support from No.11 John Montgomery (21 from 33) saw the last two put on 44 for the final wicket to sneak New Town past the target.
The loss, together with wins to Kingborough and University, pushed the Raiders to the edge but they were able to hold onto fourth, finishing just 0.39 points ahead of the Knights.
University was the biggest beneficiary of the last day, jumping from sixth to third – 0.04 points ahead of the Raiders – on the back of an outstanding outright win over top team North Hobart.
After posting 260 last Saturday, North Hobart resumed in deep trouble at 5-93.
It didn’t get any better for the Demons who were bundled out for 150, with young gun Louis Smith finishing with 5-35.
Sent back in, the second effort was even worse for the Demons than the first, as Tim Oakley (5-34) ripped through North, dismissing them for only 131.
Uni was able to knock off the 22 runs required easily and will head into the semi-final against Clarence with great confidence.
Kingborough’s path to the final ended frustratingly short, but the Knights were still able to chase down South Hobart-Sandy Bay’s 232 with four wickets to spare.
However, the Knights will have to settle for the one-day title after finishing in fifth overall.
Glenorchy missed out on a final spot thanks to Uni’s outright victory but finished its season on a high with a tight win over Clarence.
The Roos posted 335 and seemed to be on the way to a victory with the Magpies 6-168 in reply.
But a superb innings from Nick Davis and support from Jyles Horne, brought Glenorchy back into the game.
Davis was savage on the Roos bowling, smashing 17 fours and three sixes as he made a career-best 167 from 169 balls.
But when Davis fell after a 134-run stand with Horne, the Pies still needed 34 runs with only three wickets left.
Horne again stepped up for the Pies, finishing on 62 not out as Glenorchy secured victory with just two wickets to spare.