Elliot Stevenson
University has won the CTPL Two-Day Premiership for the first time since 2021, soundly defeating Kingborough at Ninja Stadium to secure its third premiership of season 2024-25.
Uni are the first side since Lindisfarne in 2019-20 to win all three available premierships in the Men’s 1st Grade competition.
Tasmania Tigers batsman Tim Ward [233 not out off 314 balls] continued his insatiable form since the Sheffield Shield season concluded, backing up his score from the Lions’ semi-final victory over Greater Northern, in which he made 150 not out.
Ward was partnered by state teammate Jake Doran [66 off 67 balls] and Emerson Rodwell Medallist and now premiership captain Param Uppal [62 off 93 balls] as the Lions finished day one at 8/395.
“[Tim] was amazing again,” University coach Ben Hilfenhaus said.
“He backed it up from the semi-final as well.
“He’s obviously in a really good space right now.
“It was great to see him come back, and not only come back but put that big score on the board to take the game away from Kingborough.”
A late flurry of wickets from Kingborough’s Nivethan Radhakrishnan [5/132 off 44 overs] gave the Knights some momentum heading into day two on Saturday.
But a record ninth-wicket partnership from Ward and young all-rounder Krystian Jankowiak [59 off 112 balls] saw Uni’s total rise to a monstrous 492.
Kingborough set off on its chase after a rain delay on Saturday, but a flurry of early wickets from Lions seamer Nick Walden made the task even more difficult for the Knights.
Walden took 5/25 off 12 overs, including the key wickets of Nivethan Radhakrishnan and Kingborough captain Dylan Hay.
“He’s just a really great personality to have around,” Hilfenhaus said.
“He’s a guy that hasn’t played much cricket over the last few years, so he’s still trying to find a little bit of rhythm.
“For him to come out on the weekend and take five wickets like he did, that was just outstanding for him.”
The Brisbane native was plucked from seeming obscurity in January of this year, having not played cricket for four years previously before joining University.
Walden has taken 13 wickets from six games, at an average of just 12.85.
Param Uppal and Paddy Dooley took the remainder of the wickets between them, as Kingborough were dismissed for 112, well short of the desired target.
The Knights could only manage one wicket before stumps on day two as Uni extended their lead to 440, at which point it was decided a third day wasn’t necessary, and the teams shook hands.
Ben Hilfenhaus has now won every available trophy as head coach of University, having taken over the role from Damien Wright at the beginning of the season.
“Obviously, it was an outstanding result on the weekend,” he said.
“The boys should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.
“If you look at all three finals, there’s been a lot of contributions from quite a few people.
“We’ve had people stand up in these big games, which is probably the key.
“Param has been absolutely amazing in the way he’s led the side.
“I think he should take a fair bit of credit for the performances we’ve put on the board this year.”
It’s Uni’s seventh two-day premiership overall and first they defeated North Hobart in 2020/21, as well as the first time they have won in all three formats in their history.
Despite losing in 1st Grade, Kingborough defeated South Hobart-Sandy Bay to win the 2nd Grade competition, as well as playing out a draw with Clarence in 3rd Grade.