Elliot Stevenson
[Image supplied by Solstice Digital]
The race for the women’s T20 grand final has heated up, while the Kookaburra Cup decider has been confirmed following a thrilling weekend of CTPL action.
New Town secured a major win in the first match in Sunday’s T20 double-header against North Hobart, tightening the race for a berth in next month’s grand final, with the second match abandoned due to rain.
Bucks coach Nathan Wegman conceded it wasn’t his side’s best performance, but reaffirmed the importance of the victory.
“With the ball we had a bit of shaky start,” he said.
“But after that the girls settled and played their role and did the team things.
“It was a really important win with finals coming up.
“We’ve got a bit more depth in our team compared to previous seasons
“It’s really pleasing to see the girls growing in confidence.”
New Town posted a score of 8-133, courtesy of a superb innings from Ailsa Lister [63 off 47 balls].
Lister was supported by Matilda Waddington, who made a run-a-ball 26.
Wegman was high in his praise for Lister, lauding the batsman for what was a match-winning knock.
“It was really good to see because she works hard,” he said.
“She’s a great person as well as a good cricketer.
“We changed her up from opening to batting three, whether that had any effect I’m not sure.”
Greater Northern were also victorious on Sunday, defeating Clarence by five wickets in a close finish.
The Roos total of 107 was chased down by the Raiders with just 11 balls to spare, captain Ava Curtis starring once again with 39 not out off 32 balls.
Chloe Casey [15 not out off 21 balls] played her role at the other end to ensure a Raiders win.
The results mean that all three of Greater Northern, New Town, and North Hobart are level on 11 points each heading into the back end of the women’s T20 fixtures.
In the men’s competition, it was University who won the weekend.
The Lions began strongly in the first 2-dayer of the season, making 237 against Clarence.
Uni captain Param Uppal made 103 off 164 balls, while Roos bowlers Sam Rainbird and Lachie Borsboom both took four wickets.
Clarence will resume play on Saturday 0-8.
With a quick turnaround, the Lions met Kingborough in a one-day semi-final on Sunday.
This time around it was wicket keeper-batsman Nikethan Radhakrishnan [101 off 104 balls] who was the star of the show for Uni.
Zac Phair [46 not out off 72 balls] and Louis Smith [24 not out off 32 balls] contributed with middle-order scores, before the game was abandoned due to heavy rain.
Due to University finishing second to Kingborough’s third, the Lions will progress to play in next Sunday’s final.
While the rain was beneficial for Uni, it was detrimental to South Hobart-Sandy Bay in it’s semi-final against New Town.
The Sharks came into the game in blistering form, having defeated Clarence in a T20 on Thursday, as well as putting in a strong performance in the first of a 2-day match against Glenorchy.
Will Prestwidge scored two half-centuries to give South Hobart-Sandy Bay extreme confidence heading into the crucial clash.
Consistent with their form, the Sharks dominated the early stages of the match, having New Town 8-118 before the rain hit.
As a result of the abandonment, New Town will play in next week’s decider, while the Sharks turn their attention to the 2-day and T20 competitions.
Despite falling short on Sunday, Kingborough defeated Lindisfarne in Thursday’s T20, before setting 246 in Saturday’s 2-dayer against the same opponent.
Knights’ batsman Dylan Hay scored well in both games, making 56 not out and 60 respectively.
Nivethan Radhakrishnan made 69 on Saturday, marking his third half-century of the season.
Lindisfarne is 2-26 ahead of next weekend’s day of cricket.
While New Town is through the Kookaburra Cup final, the Bucks struggled to find their best against North Hobart on Saturday, despite some individual brilliance from bowlers Jack Montgomery [5/26] and Joe Graham [5/58].
Kade Applebee was the key batsman for the Demons, making 76 off 199 in a patient innings.
New Town head into day two with an uphill battle, at 5-91 chasing 202.