University has given itself the opportunity to win an unprecedented third premiership of the season following a 144-run victory over Greater Northern at Uni Oval.
The Lions secured their place in this weekend’s grand final against Kingborough on the back of an incredible 150 from 235 balls from Tim Ward, his second century of the CTPL season.
Coach Ben Hilfenhaus is keeping a lid on the celebrations, but was impressed with his side’s effort on the weekend.
“The boys played pretty well,” he said.
“I think it was one of the more disciplined batting performances that we’ve done.
“Guys got to spend a fair bit of time out in the middle, which is good to see.
“Obviously, [Tim Ward] really stepped up to the plate and allowed everyone to bat around him.”
Ward has been in and out of the Tasmania Tigers team this season, but has been on fire for Uni, averaging 59.5 across all formats throughout the campaign.
The 27-year-old from New South Wales will be key for Uni’s title challenge, which would mark their third premiership of season 2024-25.
“It’s pretty exciting to be in our third final,” Hilfenhaus said.
“The boys are really excited and motivated to top off a pretty good year.
“I don’t think they are going to need any extra inspiration.”
Ward’s century helped fire the Lions to 304, despite solid bowling performances from Lachlan Clark [4/75 off 21.2 overs] and Sam Omahony [4/78 off 30 overs] for the Raiders.
Sent in to bat on early on day two, Greater Northern started strongly with opening pair Tom Dwyer [45 off 70 balls] and Oliver Knowles [32 off 48 balls].
At 0-73, Uni needed to change something to turn the game on its head.
Captain Param Uppal took up the ball, alongside Hobart Hurricanes cult hero and fellow spinner Paddy Dooley.
Uppal took 3/35 off 15.2 overs, while Dooley struck four times for 34 off his 24 overs to secure the win for the Lions.
“Cricket is one of those funny games,” Hilfenhaus said.
“There was obviously a little bit in the wicket for the quicks, but our start with the ball wasn’t ideal.
“To his credit, Paddy Dooley stepped up to the plate and got us away with the ball.
“That’s the beauty about of the makeup of our team.
“We are pretty diverse with the skillset we’ve got.
“We’re lucky to have someone like Paddy to be able to step up in that situation and stem the flow of runs.
“And obviously, Param was bowling at the other end as well.
“The situation needed us to take a bit of pace of the ball for a bit, and it obviously worked on this occasion.”
In the other semi-final, Kingborough held on by a wicket to advance on ladder position against New Town in a nailbiter at the Twin Ovals.
The Bucks received even contributions from their batsmen in the first innings, with Tom Luchetti [36 off 106 balls], captain Joe Randall [32 off 86 balls], and Joe Graham [38 off 30 balls] playing roles in the top and middle order.
The bulk of the damage, however, was done late on day one, with Liam Tollard Williams [40 not out off 76 balls] and John Montgomery [51 not out off 53 balls] helping the Bucks to 286.
Young leg-spinner James Scott took 3/57 off 20 overs for the Knights, including the key wickets of Jesse Willmott and New Town skipper Joe Randall.
Kingborough coach Tom Martyn also proved too much to handle for New Town, taking 4/63 off his 18 overs.
With 286 to chase, Kingborough faltered early on day two, losing star opener Zak Honeybrook and captain Dylan Hay, before Nikethan Radhakrishnan soon followed his teammates to the sheds.
Enter Zac Curtain, one of Tasmania’s finest young cricketers.
Curtain survived 235 balls on his way to 55 not out, as he watched six of his partners return the way they came.
Alex Vincent [36 off 64 balls] and Tom Martyn [51 off 73 balls] stuck around with the 19-year-old for periods, but frequent wickets gave New Town a sniff.
When James Scott fell with seven balls remaining in the day, number 11 batsman Cameron Walter was forced to face a solitary ball from Tyler Willmott.
Walter survived the ball, and Curtain survived the final over from Caelan Maladay, and Kingborough subsequently booked its ticket to the grand final.
It’s the Knights first grand final of the season as they look to go back-to-back in the two-day competition, a year on from the victory over Clarence in last year's decider.