Elliot Stevenson
University has won its second premiership of the CTPL season following an 8-wicket win over South Hobart-Sandy Bay at Ninja Stadium on Sunday.
The Lions once again proved they are the kings of the white ball, becoming T20 premiers in dominant fashion.
Coach Ben Hilfenhaus commended his sides performance in all three skills of the game.
“I felt like we took hold of the game pretty well,” he said.
“Our fielding backed up our bowlers well, and the bowling was good.”
The tone for the match was set when young opening bowler Louis Smith took the wicket of veteran Ben Dunk with the very first ball.
Smith repaid his captains choice to bowl first, taking his second wicket in his second over, this time removing the dangerous Sam Voss for just 6.
The Sharks were never able to get their innings going, stopping and starting their way to a final score of 5-139 off 20 overs.
Tom Willoughby [46 off 40 balls] provided the bulk of the runs, along with Caleb Oakes [30 not out off 23 balls].
University began its chase with trademark aggressiveness from Tom Chapman, combined with the selective power from Brad Hope.
Chapman hit three boundaries off the first over, before falling to Ed Gulline for 22.
Enter Param Uppal, the competitions leading run scorer by over 300 runs.
The Lions captain made 57 not out off 38 balls, including three fours and three sixes, to secure the win, and the medal for best on ground.
Hilfenhaus was glowing in his praise for the skipper.
“Our chase was absolute class led by Param,” he said.
“I think he’s averaging something like 260 this year in finals cricket.
“He’s definitely one that has been standing up in the big games.
“Not only the big games, he’s actually done it across all formats for us as well.
“There’s no surprise as to why he’s so far in front of everyone else on the runs tally.
“He’s been amazing for us this year.
“I’m actually quite excited to see him hopefully get opportunities at the next level, which I think that he deserves and is ready for.”
Uppal is averaging 68.82 in all formats this season, with that figure rising to 267 in semi-finals and grand finals in 2024-25.
The Saturday 2-day game between the two sides also saw a blistering knock from Uppal [105 not out off 142 balls], alongside Tasmanian Tigers star Tim Ward [137 not out off 154 balls].
The pair took the Lions to 2-291 declared, a 166-run lead in the match.
South Hobart-Sandy Bay were sent back in, but managed to avoid any embarrassment thanks to Tom Willoughby [70 off 114 balls].
University now sit 6 points clear on the 2-day ladder of their nearest challenger, having won both white ball premierships already, but Hilfenhaus ensures they will take the rest of the season week by week.
“We’re not looking too far ahead yet, but obviously that will be a little bit of motivation for us to achieve that goal,” he said.
“In the short-term we just have to stick to the processes.”
New Town has hung on to a draw against Greater Northern with just one wicket remaining when stumps were called on Saturday afternoon.
The Raiders declared at 7-314 early in the morning session, sending the Bucks in to chase for the remainder of the day.
Opening batsman Chrisenthus Kahatapitikankanamalage [71 off 179 balls] breathed some life in his side, but the Bucks lower order failed to capitalise.
New Town lost 5-18 before Joe Graham and Tyler Willmott managed to rescue the draw, facing out 43 balls between them.
Both teams are yet to win a game in the red-ball format.
Clarence defeated Glenorchy at Kangaroo Bay Oval, surpassing the Magpies score of 170 with seven wickets in-hand.
The Roos continued batting until declaring at 9-239, led by Ryan Borsboom [76 off 109 balls], Riley Whitelaw [62 off 110 balls], and Michael Jones [40 off 54 balls].
Glenorchy managed to avoid an outright loss by staving off an assault from the Clarence bowling attack, finishing at 3-107, with captain-coach Josh Hartill making an unbeaten half-century.
North Hobart also avoided an outright loss, off the back of a brilliant second innings display from batsman Jack White.
White hit 111 off 180, granting the Demons a 169-run lead over the hosts with only 12 overs left in the day.
He was partnered by opener Harry McHugh [73 off 164 balls], who was thrust into action immediately on day two as Lindisfarne declared before a ball was bowled.
The Lightning declared at 9-161, before North Hobart responded with 276 to ultimately quell any thought of extra points for their opposition.
Lindisfarne remains undefeated in 2-day cricket this season, sitting second on the ladder only to University.
The men’s CTPL competition will return on January 4, following a short Christmas break.