Elliot Stevenson
The youth of University has delivered two wins for Ben Hilfenhaus’ side in round 5 of the CTPL season.
The Lions soundly defeated Greater Northern on Saturday, before a thrilling win over North Hobart on Sunday.
Hilfenhaus was ecstatic with his side’s performance, despite fielding five teenagers in each of the clashes.
“We’re quite a young side so it was outstanding to see these players continue to develop and start to play important roles,” he said.
“Sunday was a classic example of that, in terms of out in the field there.
“We knew if we just stuck to our plans of being patient and trying to build pressure that the tides would turn.”
The first game was a reminder of the experienced stars that University possesses however, with Tim Ward (92 off 134 balls) and Param Uppal (42 off 76 balls) helping the Lions to 9-235.
Aidan O’Connor continued to stake his claim for state selection as he took 6/43 off his 10 overs for the Raiders.
The northern-based side only managed 102 in response, thanks in part to the mystery spin of Hobart Hurricane Patrick Dooley (4/12 off 10 overs)
The Lions had no time to rest of their laurels, as they travelled to the TCA Ground the next day to take on North Hobart.
University batted first, and when Uppal and Ward failed, the middle-bottom order stood up.
Zac Phair made 50 off 68 balls, while relative newcomers Charlie Hill (28 off 56 balls) and Louis Smith (25 off 33 balls) also chipped in.
With 265 to chase, North Hobart began well, and at 3-219 looked to be in the box seat.
Kade Applebee (69 off 116 balls) and Aiden Bariol (65 not out off 57 balls) were clinical for the Demons.
But a restrictive death bowling performance from 19-year-old Louis Smith, as well as the brave decision for captain Param Uppal to bowl leg-spinner Tom Chapman in order to inspire his team with a wicket was key for the Lions win.
Smith took three of the last four wickets, while Chapman dismissed the dangerous Sanjay Anandarajah for 32.
North Hobart fell 14 agonising runs short of the total.
Hilfenhaus is not holding back in his adulation of Uni’s many young prospects.
“It’s obviously pretty exciting,” he said.
“Not just short-term either but long-term for the club as well.
“As a club our goal is to produce cricketers that can go to the next level.”
University now sits equal on points with New Town, a close second to the ladder leading Bucks with just a singular one-day round remaining.
Saturday’s action also proved fruitful for Kingborough, with the Knights chasing down Clarence’s total of 193 at the Twin Ovals.
Cameron Walter took his second 4-wicket haul of the season, before Jack Ross (53 off 76 balls) helped to secure the victory for the home side.
Kingborough has now won three games in a row and sits third in the standings.
New Town completed a mighty chase to defeat a resistant Glenorchy side, winning by seven wickets with eight overs remaining.
Magpies captain-coach Josh Hartill made a blistering 116 not out off 135 balls, taking his team to 9-236 off 50 overs.
In reply, it was number three batsman Joe Randall who starred for the Bucks, making 89 not out off 95 balls to ensure the ladder leaders remained in first place.
The first of South Hobart-Sandy Bay’s two weekend victories came against North Hobart in dominant fashion.
The Sharks made 222, Will Prestwidge (45 off 62 balls) and Caleb Oakes (48 off 64 balls) supplying much of the runs.
North Hobart only managed 158 in response, partly due to a clinical team bowling performance from South Hobart-Sandy Bay.
Sunday was equally as enjoyable for the Sharks as they downed Glenorchy at Queenborough.
Sam Voss made 102 off 110 balls before being run out, while Tom Willoughby (74 off 101 balls) was a vital supporting act.
Voss hit five sixes on his way to the century, helping the Sharks to 9-308.
Glenorchy gave little in its attempt to chase, falling 110 runs short despite a valiant effort from Nikhil Chaudhury (53 off 43 balls).
Lindisfarne won its second game of the season, defeating Clarence by 93 runs at Kangaroo Bay.
Opening batsman Keegan Oates (105 off 133 balls) made the difference for the Lightning, scoring 10 boundaries and leading his side to 6-252.
Economic bowling from Lindisfarne ensured they would come away with a victory, with Keegan Oates (3/24 off 7 overs) proving with worth with ball in hand.
Harshtik Bimbral (3/15 off 3.2 overs) cleaned up the tail.
In the women’s competition, Greater Northern has made a strong push for the T20 grand final, winning twice over Clarence at Invermay Park on Sunday.
The first match proved to be a batting clinic from Raiders’ opener Emma Manix-Geeves, who hit 16 boundaries on her way to 108 not out off just 64 balls.
Greater Northern made 1-186, before bowling Clarence out for 99 to win the first of the double-header.
In the second, Raiders captain Ava Curtis was the star, taking 5/11 off her four overs, before making 56 not out off 50 balls to secure a seven-wicket win.
Curtis is averaging 79 in first grade this season and is proving to be a breakout star for Greater Northern with both bat and ball.
North Hobart were also victorious after it defeated New Town away at New Town Oval on Sunday.
Bethany Lane (66 off 58 balls) caused the damage for the Bucks, but she was matched by Clare Scott (53 off 40 balls) and Melodie Armstrong (60 off 47 balls) for the Demons.
North Hobart won the match by eight wickets, chasing down New Town’s 147 with just ten balls remaining.
The Demons are now 5-1 and sit first on the women’s T20 ladder.