CTPL WEEKEND WRAP
Elliot Stevenson
North Hobart has returned to winning ways following a 141-run victory over South Hobart-Sandy Bay in an enthralling weekend of CTPL action.
The Demons declared at 9-288 late on Saturday afternoon, before bowling their opponents out for just 147 on Sunday.
Coach Richard Cowlard is relieved to see his sides season get back on track after back-to-back losses to Lindisfarne and Clarence.
“It was a massive game for us,” he said.
“We saw it as a really important game to win.
“Every game from here on out is important.”
Sanjay Anandarajah continued his strong form, scoring a determined 95 off 176 balls to set up the victory for the Demons.
“Since he has come to North Hobart, he’s been really good,” Cowlard said.
“He’s a very exciting player.
“It’s good for him to be finally getting the rewards.
“It was really good to see him do well in this game.”
Aiden Bariol [52 off 64 balls] made runs at the top of the order, while veteran Robb Macmillan [48 off 124 balls] provided a bottom-order partner for Anandarajah as he poured the misery on the Sharks.
A clinical bowling performance from North Hobart, led by Anandarajah [3/14 off 11 overs] and Hamish Ayliffe [3/26 off 9 overs], gave no room for a South Hobart-Sandy Bay chase down.
The result marks the Demons first win since November, a sorely needed one for Cowlard’s team, who sit sixth, just five points off the top four.
“It’s been always sticking to our processes,” he said.
“We’ve had some individuals that have performed really well.
“Unfortunately, we’ve let ourselves down with our consistency.
“We just haven’t been able to string partnerships together.”
Nivethan Radhakrishnan has scored his first century of the season for Kingborough in a 193-run drubbing of Clarence at the Twin Ovals.
The Roos had no answer for Radhakrishnan, who hit 153 off 241 balls to take his side to 7-346, before they declared overnight.
The Knights’ bowling attack went to work on Sunday, dismissing their opponents for just 153.
All-rounder Zak Honeybrook took his first five-wicket haul since the opening round win against University.
Kingborough continues to shadow Uni at the top of the ladder, remaining two points behind them heading into round 21.
However, the Lions are showing no signs of slowing down, despite losing a plethora of players to the Hobart Hurricanes, Tasmania Tigers 2nd XI, and the Tasmania Under 17’s squad.
University batted first at New Town Oval against an in-form Bucks team, and piled on 9-386 on the first day, led by Nikethan Radhakrishnan [78 off 164 balls], Tom Chapman [65 off 119 balls], and the competitions leading run scorer, Param Uppal [105 not out off 125 balls].
New Town mounted an honourable challenge in response, making 297 on Sunday before falling short.
Joe Graham [86 off 76 balls] scored his second consecutive half-century, hitting 13 boundaries before being caught off Krystian Jankowiak’s left-arm pace.
Louis Smith [4/78 off 23 overs] was the pick of the bowlers for the Lions.
Greater Northern cemented its place in the top four with a secure win over Glenorchy at KGV Oval.
Jyles Horne [82 off 170 balls] displayed his resolve for the Magpies, but the hosts could only put on 197.
The game seemed in the balance as the Raiders’ chase was faulting at 5-111, but a strong partnership from Samuel O’Mahony [54 not out off 94 balls] and Oliver Charles-Knowles [74 off 89 balls] took the visitors to 2-246.
Ryan Green [4/58 off 15 overs] did his best with the ball, but Greater Northern stays undefeated since the first day of December.
The Raiders also recorded a win in the women’s competition, marking their first win of the women’s one-day season.
The dynamic opening duo of Ruth Johnston [45 off 62 balls] and Emma Manix-Geeves [49 off 48 balls] fired again for Greater Northern as they set a target of 228 for opponents Clarence.
The Clarence batting lineup was no match for the bowling of the Raiders, with Johnston taking 3/11 and fast-bowler Julia Cavanough [3/13 off 9 overs] having her best game of 2025 so far.
The Roos only managed 109, 119-runs short of Greater Northern’s total.
The new year seemingly brought new fortune for North Hobart, as it recorded a 10-wicket win against T20 premiers New Town.
The Bucks lost star batter Lizelle Lee to injury early in the match, an incident that summed up the day for Nathan Wegman’s side.
Callie Wilson [50 off 62 balls] provided some hope for New Town, as they limped to a total of 153.
But a barnstorming opening stand from Elyse Villani [61 not out off 61 balls] and Naomi Stalenberg [51 not out off 50 balls] secured a comfortable victory for North Hobart with 31.5 overs remaining.
The Demons are now seven points clear of Clarence at the top of the ladder and are looking to reach a second consecutive one-day final.