CTPL ROUND 7 WRAP
Elliot Stevenson
[Image supplied by Solstice Digital]
New Town has earned the right to host a Kookaburra Cup semi-final on Sunday, following a hard-earnt victory over the Greater Northern Raiders.
The Bucks will host South Hobart-Sandy Bay, while the other semi-final will be contested between University and Kingborough at University Oval.
Peter Di Venuto’s side finished the one-day regular season with a record of five wins and one loss following the 10-run triumph on Saturday.
Di Venuto admired his team’s determination in such a tight contest.
“We knew the opportunity [to host a final] was there with a win,” he said.
“I thought it was a game played between two even teams.
“The scores reflected that it was pretty close.”
Mitch Owen transferred his Sheffield Shield form back to the CTPL, making 42 off 43 balls, with Jesse Willmott [62 off 74 balls] scoring the bulk of the runs for the Bucks.
Joseph Graham hit three sixes in the final overs to take New Town to a total of 9-236.
At 6-114, the Raiders’ chase looked in danger, but it was captain-coach Alistair Taylor who stepped up when required.
Taylor made 104 from his 106 balls, including three fours and six sixes, to take Greater Northern to within 15 runs with an over remaining.
Caelan Maladay was charged with the bowling duties for the Bucks and was able to dismiss Taylor while only conceding four runs from the over to secure the victory.
Di Venuto was proud of New Town’s ability to adapt despite difficult conditions.
“It was a bit of a toss of the coin job,” he said.
“The wicket dictated that the runs were going to be scored more than likely at the back end.
“It wasn’t a great wicket to play one-day cricket, but I thought that both teams adapted well.
“Both sides got themselves into a position to win as a result of sensible lower-order batting.”
As a result of the loss, Greater Northern has found itself on the outside looking in for next weeks semi-finals, with South Hobart-Sandy Bay taking its place.
The Sharks were able to overcome a Lindisfarne team that welcomed back Nathan Ellis, winning by 112 runs.
Ellis took 4/11 off 6.5 overs for the Lightning, but it was Sharks seamer Edward Gulline who was the star of the day, taking 6/18 as Lindisfarne were dismissed for just 72 in chase of 184.
University has also sent a message ahead of a weekend of finals, prevailing over Glenorchy as a result of their monumental chase.
The Magpies set a total of 273 on the back of a pair of 78’s from openers Ryan Graham-Daft and Nick Potts.
While it has been Uni’s youth that has been the talking point this season, it was the experienced trio of Param Uppal [50 off 65 balls], Tim Ward [57 off 67 balls], and particularly Brad Hope [94 not out off 83 balls] that were instrumental.
The Lions made the total with 2.5 overs to spare, securing a home final in the process.
A similarly remarkable run chase occurred in the match between North Hobart and Kingborough, with the Knights finding no target to tall.
It was the Caleb Jewell [100 off 110 balls] and Aiden Bariol [138 off 109 balls] show for the Demons, who made a strong first innings score of 8-314.
A middle-order masterclass saw Kingborough home in just 44.2 overs, headlined by the power hitting of both Zak Honeybrook [76 off 40 balls] and Jake Weatherald [70 off 47 balls], who hit 24 boundaries between them.
With a quick turnaround, North Hobart was faced with a Greater Northern side that was licking it’s wounds in a T20 on Sunday.
Alistair Taylor continued his astonishing weekend with 49 off 44 balls, leading the Raiders to 7-125 off their 20 overs.
Rafael MacMillan was again influential with ball in hand, the young Demon taking 3/18 off 4 overs.
For the second time on the weekend, Aiden Bariol caused an opposition trouble as he made 32 not out off 29 balls, while Sanjay Anandarajah [44 off 36 balls] top scored for North Hobart.
The Demons cruised home to a 6-wicket win, marking the first of the 2024-25 T20 season, which continues on Thursday.