Elliot Stevenson
New Town has been crowned the CTPL Women’s T20 Premiers following a 41-run win over Greater Northern on Sunday.
It’s the Bucks first T20 premiership victory since the 2020-21 season, in which they defeated North Hobart in a final-over thriller.
Nathan Wegman’s side found themselves in the mire early in their batting innings, with two run outs and a pair of wickets each to Julia Cavanough and Chloe Casey causing the Bucks a headache.
At 6-73, Greater Northern could smell blood in the water, but New Town consolidated through Imogen Hill [23 not out 35 balls] and Vanessa Dobson [47 not out off 38 balls].
The pair piled on an 87-run partnership to bring the Bucks to 6-160 at the change of innings.
Wegman commended the duo and their importance in the result.
“Without that partnership, I doubt that we could have won,” he said.
“It got us back in the game.
“Vanessa deserved that player of the match because she changed the game.”
Dobson was awarded the inaugural Belinda Page Medal, named after legendary Tasmanian women’s cricketer Belinda Page, adjudged the best player on the ground in the T20 grand final.
Raiders captain Ava Curtis [55 not out off 49 balls] proved to be the sole performer with the bat for the visitors, but the threat to New Town’s total was never apparent.
West Indian Jannilla Glasgow was the star for the Bucks in their bowling innings, taking 3/8 off her 4 overs, as well as a producing a fantastic catch to dismiss Monique Booth for 10.
It was spin to win for Wegman and New Town.
“We thought pace off could work well, and it proved to be the case,” he said.
“I thought Jannilla and Ellie Matthews did a really good job containing the Raiders batsmen.”
It’s a familiar story for Greater Northern, having now lost three of the last four T20 grand finals, but for the Bucks, it’s a first T20 premiership since 2020-21, and a first piece of silverware since the one-day final two years ago.
Wegman was delighted to get across the line at New Town Oval.
“It was a great win by the girls,” he said.
“The game seesawed, especially in the first innings.
“We were on top and then the Raiders fought back hard with the ball.
“In the field we were on song all day.
“We were really switched on, and we fielded really well, and we bowled quite well.
“The girls deserve it, they’ve put a lot of extra work and effort in.”
In the men’s competition, the T20 final matchup has been confirmed, with South Hobart-Sandy Bay set to take on University next Sunday.
Uni secured its place in the semi-finals following a win over New Town on Thursday, with state-contracted pair Brad Hope [60 off 41 balls] and Tim Ward [85 off 37 balls] blasting the Lions to a total of 4-216.
New Town fell 74 runs short, despite a strong cameo from Mitch Owen [45 off 17 balls].
Param Uppal [4/22 off 4 overs] was the pick of the bowlers for University.
Thursday’s other game was a win and you’re in game between Glenorchy and Kingborough at KGV.
Knights’ batsman Dylan Hay tore apart the Glenorchy bowlers, making 66 not out off just 42 balls.
The Magpies were unable to chase down Kingborough’s 2-169, and subsequently exited the T20 competition.
Both fresh off white-ball victories, University and Kingborough met in a blockbuster semi-final on Sunday, with a spot in next Sunday's big dance up for grabs.
Again, it was Lions captain Param Uppal who starred with the ball, taking 5/14 to restrict Kingborough to just 9-114.
Uppal then backed up his bowling exploits with a commandeering 72 not out off 52 balls to secure the victory for his side.
Uni will play in their second final of the season, in search of another piece of silverware.
There will be a firm opposition to that sentiment however, with an in-form South Hobart-Sandy Bay set to challenge the Lions to the title.
The Sharks defeated North Hobart in comfortable fashion in Sunday’s semi-final.
Tom Willoughby [39 off 37 balls & 3/11 off 4 overs] proved his worth for Richard Allanby’s side, while experienced paceman Gabe Bell [4/27 off 4 overs] tore through the North Hobart batting lineup.
Saturday saw the beginning of the second week of 2-day cricket in season 2024-25.
In what University will be hoping is a preview of next Sunday’s T20 final, the Lions dismissed South Hobart-Sandy Bay for 125, before ending the day at 2-210.
The ever-present Param Uppal [70 not out off 93 balls] and Tim Ward [91 off 101 balls] will resume at the crease next weekend.
Greater Northern piled on the runs against New Town, with Cooper Anthes [69 off 141 balls] and Dravid Rao [51 not out off 107 balls] playing supporting roles to the brilliant hitting of Jonathon Chapman [84 off 108 balls].
Chapman made the first half-century of his first-grade campaign to ensure the Raiders are in a commanding position heading into day two.
New Town bowler Caelan Maladay [4/87 off 26 overs] provided some relief for the Bucks.
The match between Clarence and Glenorchy is nicely poised, following a good day of cricket at Kangaroo Bay.
Roos all-rounder Lachie Borsboom will be leading any player of the match awards, having taken 4/44 and will be continuing at 43 not out, partnered by young wicket-keeper Riley Whitelaw.
Clarence bowled Glenorchy out for 170, and currently sit at 2-80.
North Hobart was unable to handle the fast-bowling skill of Sebastian Brown [4/6] and Lachie Nichols [3/13], with the Demons being dismissed for just 54 in their endeavours across the Derwent River.
While North Hobart bowler Rafael MacMillan was able to produce a devastating spell of 6/50, Lindisfarne managed to make 9/161, taking a 107-run lead with a wicket to spare.
Captain Keegan Oates hit 13 boundaries on his way to 84 off 165 balls, but was the shining light in an otherwise uninspiring Lightning batting innings.