Elliot Stevenson
North Hobart remains the only undefeated team at the halfway stage of the men’s Kookaburra Cup competition in 2024-25, following a 38-run victory over Clarence.
The Demons sit third on the One Day and Overall ladders in what is proving to be a highly competitive opening to the season.
Four teams are within one point of the ladder-leading Greater Northern Raiders, but North Hobart has a game in hand due to its bye in round 2.
It was another impressive performance by the Demons, headlined by the talent of 19-year-old Rafael MacMillan.
The Tigers rookie made a run-a-ball 45 to help take North Hobart to a total of 206 off its 50 overs, with assistance from Kade Applebee (43 off 99 balls).
But it was his exploits with ball in hand that was the determining factor for his side’s victory.
Taking 5 for 37 off 9.5 overs, including the final wicket, MacMillan enjoyed a day out at Kangaroo Bay.
Demons coach Richard Cowlard is convinced the youngster has a First-Class career ahead of him.
“Raf Macmillan is a quality player,” he said.
“No matter if he’s got the bat or the ball, he’s just class.
“Words can’t describe how good he is going to be for the club.
“Watching him this week, it’s a glimpse of what he’s got.”
Cowlard stressed the importance of maximising every opportunity for points in a season with little room for error.
“Whether you’re playing at home or away a win is really important, especially when you’re only playing six one-day games,” he said.
“And then the fact that New Town and Raiders have gotten double bonus points in their games.
“A win is really important in setting your white ball (season) up and then leading into Christmas.”
University dealt with the absence of state-contracted players with a commanding 88-run win over Lindisfarne, despite being dismissed for 196.
Tom McGann (51 off 60 balls) made a valuable contribution for the Lightning, but Uni captain Param Uppal made the difference with the ball, taking 4-12 off 9 overs.
The Lions now sit fifth on the table, but only two points off first.
South Hobart-Sandy Bay won its first game of the season against the previously undefeated New Town at the Twin Ovals.
Jayden Vince (50 off 93 balls) continued his good form, while handy lower order contributions from Caelan Malady (49 off 60 balls) and Joe Graham (43 not out off 56 balls) lifted the Bucks to 9-202.
Their efforts were quickly cancelled out by the Sharks batsman, with Sam Voss (60 off 96 balls), Sean Willis (52 off 53 balls) and Harry Nichols (41 not out off 43 balls) guiding the Sharks to a six-wicket victory.
Kingborough secured an important 18-run win in Launceston over the previously undefeated Greater Northern Raiders.
The Knights batted first, with a determined 107-run partnership between Jack Ross (62 off 78 balls) and Riley Backhouse (47 off 63 balls) taking them to 228.
Dravid Rao was the star for the Raiders, taking 5-61 off 9.4 overs.
The chase was led by another strong middle-order partnership between captain-coach Alistair Taylor and Cooper Anthes.
But a devastating second spell from Knights bowler Cameron Walter (4-37 off 10 overs) finished the job for Kingborough, after playing coach Tom Martyn (3-29) did the early damage.
In the women’s competition, another set of T20 double-headers took place on Sunday.
New Town affirmed its place at the top of the ladder, defeating Clarence twice.
In the first match, Vanessa Dobson (32 off 39 balls) and Matilda Waddington (29 off 46 balls) led the Bucks to a total 4-103.
Clarence fell just seven runs short in the run chase, with five New Town bowlers claiming two wickets each.
In the second match, Clarence batted first, with Kate Sherriff (56 off 57 balls) guiding the Roos to 3-114 off their 20 overs.
However, New Town proved too classy once again, chasing down the total in 15.3 overs, and winning by seven wickets.
Openers Ailsa Lister (38 off 26 balls) and Vanessa Dobson (29 not out) set up the win.
In the other fixtures, North Hobart and Greater Northern split the points at the Twin Ovals.
An economic bowling performance from North Hobart restricted the Raiders to just 3-88 in the first match, and the Demons were able to chase down the total in 16.3 overs.
The Raiders produced a better performance with the bat in the second match, finishing at 3-137.
Montana Bradley (56 off 62 balls) and Ava Curtis (54 not out off 48 balls) were instrumental in the total.
The Raiders went on the win the match comfortably, bowling North Hobart out for just 74.
Alice McLauchlan (3-12 off 4 overs) and Chloe Casey (3-8 off 4 overs) did the brunt of the damage, paving the way for a 63-run victory.