It has come down to this – the final round of the CTPL men’s season and with seven of the nine clubs vying for just the four semi-final positions.
Only last year’s overall premier Lindisfarne and this season’s T20 champions New Town are out of the running going into round 25, two-day matches across two Saturdays.
North Hobart and Clarence look like locks in first and second respectively while the Greater Northern Raiders (third) and Kingborough (fourth) are trying to hold off Glenorchy (fifth), University (sixth) and South Hobart-Sandy Bay (seventh).
Kingborough has already enjoyed premiership success in the one-day competition this season, but its red-ball form has not been as strong with just two wins from six games and the Kniights are coming off a heavy outright defeat to Clarence before last round’s bye.
Knights playing-coach Thomas Martyn said their finals destiny still lay in their own hands.
“Clearly we would have liked another win to secure it before the last round, but we would rather be in this position of needing to win than needing to win and relying on others to lose,” Martyn said.
“Needing to win also enables us to play in a positive manner and drive a result during the game.
“It’s clear our red ball cricket hasn’t brought as many wins as other format.
“But overall the group are actually excited and positive about the improvement we have made in 2023/24 season and the fact we are one win away from locking in a finals berth is being treated as an opportunity, not a concern.”
However, one area that would be causing a few worries is the Knights’ batting, with no Kingborough batter in the top 10 CTPL run scorers, with captain Dylan Hay the best in 12th with 533 runs at 35.5, and the team struggling to post winning scores.
“Our batting group are well aware we need to start putting together greater partnerships and team totals to compete in finals,” Martyn said.
“All our batters have had good scores throughout the year, but we just need to try and bring this all together as a collective.
“I feel as if we are not far away, and the bye came at a good time for us to reset a few things and get greater red ball batting content at training.”
The Knights will trave to Queenborough to take on South Hobart-Sandy Bay for a finals spot, with the Sharks leaving their run to the semis late but coming off a big win over Uni last round.
Martyn is prepared for a tough battle for a finals spot.
“I have been really impressed by the Sharks and their improvement throughout the season,” he said.
“They are all local players who all know their role and love playing together, and their improving results demonstrate that.
“Their greatest strength lies with their experienced heads in Sean Willis and Harry Nichols, who both are great cricketers and their performances have allowed other guys to build confidence whilst at the level.
“We appreciate that they will have plenty to play for as well and expect another tight tussle with the Sharks.”
Despite last round’s loss, Uni is still in the finals hunt but host top team North Hobart in its last roster game, while Glenorchy has an equally tough task in its finals quest when Clarence travels across the river to take on the Pies at KGV Oval.
The red-hot Raiders, which have surged to third on the back of big consecutive wins over Lindisfarne and Clarence, host a New Town side only playing for pride.
In the women’s competition, there will be a preview of the one-day final a week early with New Town and North Hobart meeting in the final round and then again a week later in the decider.
The winner will take a confidence boost ahead of Sunday week’s final.
The other game will see the curtain fall on the 2023-24 season for Clarence and the Raiders at Kangaroo Bay.
The Roos are still searching for their first win of the one-day season, while the Raiders were the early front runners in the 50-over game before losing form and falling behind the Demons and the Bucks to be out of the running with one match to go.