Elliot Stevenson
The Greater Northern Raiders women have secured a home grand final against North Hobart this Sunday, following an impressive 10-wicket win over the Demons at the TCA Ground.
A phenomenal team bowling performance from the Raiders saw nine players take the ball, with six individual wicket-takers as North Hobart managed just 188.
Coach Andy Gower is rapt with his teams’ successes.
“I’m unbelievably proud,” he said.
“I couldn’t stop smiling, to be honest.
“It was a phenomenal performance, and the girls have gotten what they deserve.”
Needing to win with 1.75 times the run rate of their opponents, openers Emma Manix-Geeves and Ruth Johnston took to the crease with aggression.
Manix-Geeves took the lead role, belting North Hobart around for 106 not out off 89 balls, including a massive 17 fours.
Gower was glowing in his praise of the star batter.
“She’s an absolute star,” he said.
“Her leadership’s grown throughout the season, and she’s in the best nick of her life I would think.
“She’s just playing some unbelievable cricket.
“She deserves everything that comes her way going forward and into the future because she’s a class act.”
Johnston [68 not out 77 balls] played a supporting role as the Raiders won in just 27.3 overs, securing a double bonus point and a home one-day grand final.
After losing to New Town a week ago, the dream of hosting the big dance seemed to be lost for Greater Northern, knowing they would need a miracle.
However, a week later, the impossible dream has become a reality, a massive boost for Andy Gower’s side heading into the decider.
“North Hobart will be wanting to turn the table on us this week,” he said.
“We’re under no illusion as to what it’s going to take to win.
“We’ll stick to our game plan.
“We’ll bowl good lines and set good fields, and hopefully we’ll chase whatever they get.”
Clarence concluded its season with a dominant win over New Town, chasing down the Bucks total of 61 in just 49 balls.
Chloe Abel [32 off 47 balls] provided some resistance with the bat for New Town, but it was all in vain as the Roos took control.
Michaela Kirk [23 not out off 24 balls] steered Clarence home in a relatively simple chase, ensuring it finishes the season in third place, a clear sign of improvement since the T20 competition.
In the men’s competition, Lindisfarne has won in dramatic fashion against South Hobart-Sandy Bay, chasing 400 in just 70 overs to stay alive in season 2024-25.
The Sharks declared at 9-400 early on day two, following a century from Tom Willoughby [107 off 189 balls].
The all-star trio of Charlie Wakim [88 off 100 balls], Mac Wright [80 off 80 balls], and Jarrod Freeman [70 off 37 balls] made the bulk of the runs for Lindisfarne, but at 6-320, and with all three out, South Hobart-Sandy Bay were surely ready to celebrate.
A terrific lower order fight from Daniel Chapman [25 not out off 24 balls] and Sebastian Brown [29 not out off 17 balls] took the Lightning to victory.
Lindisfarne is now just four points behind Greater Northern in fourth place, ahead of a date with the Raiders this weekend.
South Hobart-Sandy Bay will have to wait until next season to return to the finals, following a disappointing two-day season.
Kingborough has continued its undefeated streak with a win over North Hobart at the TCA Ground.
The Knights won on first innings on day one and came into Saturday with another potential outright on their minds.
However, Demons’ batsman Nick Davis had other ideas, belting 126 off 93 balls, including 15 fours and 6 sixes.
Zak Honeybrook followed his seven-wicket haul from the first innings with 3/69, but North Hobart made 9-289 before declaring.
Honeybrook then displayed his ability as an all-rounder, making 100 not out off 73 balls before play ended.
Kingborough are undefeated in two-day cricket and will head into the last home-and-away game with a massive 28-point lead at the top of the CTPL table.
North Hobart has played its last game of the season, due to its round 25 bye and status in fifth.
Clarence has re-entered finals discussions, following a dominant outright victory over New Town at Kangaroo Bay Oval.
The Roos led by 117 at the conclusion of day one, needing seven wickets to win outright.
Veteran fast-bowler Sam Rainbird took a ridiculous 8-79 off 13 overs to keep his side in finals contention, in what is his fourth five-wicket haul in five innings in the CTPL.
Rainbird’s recent form has catapulted him to the top of the wickets tally in the competition, with 47 wickets at an average of just 15.55.
Clarence is now only four points behind Greater Northern in fourth place, having won three games in a row, all on the back of Rainbird’s bowling.
New Town remain in third but can still host a semi-final if it wins and University loses in round 25.
Greater Northern has won outright away from home against Kookaburra Cup and T20 premiers University, in what is Uni’s third consecutive loss.
Young gun Aidan O’Connor took 5/45 off 16 overs in the second innings for the Raiders, ensuring Uni would only lead by 88.
A slightly shaky chase nonetheless resulted in a Greater Northern win, putting its fate in its hand heading into the last round of the season.
If the Raiders are to defeat Lindisfarne this weekend, they will play finals, while Uni will be there regardless, but need to win to sure up a home final