Early indications are it will be a tight run race for the CTPL’s women’s title, but it was the ground staff around Hobart who were the stars across the weekend.
After consistent rain saw no play in any of the men’s matches on Saturday, followed by a deluge overnight featuring thunder and lightning, it seemed it would be a weekend with no cricket.
However, across the eight games scheduled for Sunday action across the men’s and women’s competitions, five were completed against the odds.
While both Greater Northern Raiders v Clarence T20 games at Riverside were abandoned, the clash between New Town and North Hobart got underway at New Town Oval.
North Hobart strangled the home side in the first game, restricting the Bucks to 6-78 from its 20 overs, a target the Demons cruised to with five wickets and more than five overs to spare thanks largely to captain Ella Marsh (26) and Hannah Short (29).
The second clash was a complete reversal.
Batting first, the Demons posted what appeared to be a competitive 5-115 but that were blown away by the Bucks opening partnership of Sterre Kalis and Tanja Lee.
Kalis smacked an unbeaten 60 from just 46 balls with nine fours, while Lee chipped in with a 40-ball 35 as the Bucks reached the target without losing a wicket with six overs remaining.
In the men’s, Lindisfarne’s Will Sanders showed Lightning can strike twice.
After Hobart endured a thunderstorm the night before, it was Kingborough that was struck by the Lightning at Anzac Park.
Batting first, Sanders came to the crease with the game evenly poised at 4-96 but when he was the last wicket to fall, he had propelled the Lightning to 224 via his 91-ball 89 with 11 fours and three sixes – his highest score for Lindisfarne.
The former Queenslander arrived at Lindisfarne last summer as a bowler and showed his worth taking the new ball against the Knights, finishing with 1-43 as Kingborough was bowled out for 182.
Lindisfarne coach Matt Wilkie said Sanders returns were a reward for hard work.
“He moved down from Queensland last year more so as a bowler, but he’s worked really hard on his batting and it is great to see him getting some time out in the middle,” Wilkie said.
“He’s got a great power game but to put together a bit more as a batter these days is paying off for him and us.”
It leaves the defending champs well placed after three rounds.
“It has been scrappy, that’s how we have summed it up,” Wilkie said.
“It has been a good effort to come out with two wins from three games but our best cricket is still a long way away.”
Clarence secured its first win of the season in the most thrilling of fashions with a one-wicket win over New Town at Kangaroo Bay off the last-ball of the 37-over-a-side game.
After being sent in, New Town made 7-170 and then had Clarence in deep trouble at 8-127.
But Sam Rainbird turned out to be the hero of the day with a 22-ball 32 not out as he partnered with Sam Leon (20 off 16).
But when Leon was dismissed, it fell to No.11 Lachlan Borsboom, who was on strike with scores tied and one ball remaining.
In a frantic finale, a push to midwicket saw a New Town shy at the stumps that would have tied the game, but the miss enabled the Roos to scramble the single and secure the victory.
South Hobart-Sandy Bay finally got its season underway after a first-round bye followed by a second-round washout with a win over Glenorchy at KGV Oval.
Batting first after being sent in, the Sharks posted 9-216 from their 43 overs, with No.7 Caleb Oakes top-scoring with 59 from 47 balls.
The Magpies were well-placed at 3-137, but the loss of Nick Davis for 34 saw the home side collapse and dismissed for 191.
Ed Gulline was the pick of the bowlers for the victors with 3-35 from nine overs.