It could be a case of history repeating for New Town as the Bucks stampede towards defending their CTPL women’s one-day title continued on the weekend.
Just like last season, the Bucks struggled in the T20 format but are running hot in the 50-over game, winning four games on the trot and inflicting the Greater Northern Raiders third-straight defeat in round 18 action.
New Town sits a game clear on top of the one-day ladder after bowling out the Raiders for 140 and then chasing down the meagre target for the loss of just four wickets with nearly 23 overs to spare.
Bucks coach Nathan Wegman said there was a touch of deja vu.
“It is very similar to last season for us,” Wegman said.
“The T20 probably doesn’t suit us as a side compared to the longer format of the game.
“It is something we have talked about all season and last season as well.
“It [50-over] is the format that suits our team and the way we structure and who we have available.
“The whole comp is very even but it is nice to string a few wins together.
“Hopefully we are only one win or so away from securing a final.
“We are wrapped with the way it is going.”
The Bucks batting has been dominant throughout the campaign, but it was the turn of the bowlers to star this round.
Fast-medium bowler Callie Wilson was the main show taking a season best 3-33 as she slowly finds her groove after overcoming injury.
“It has been a frustrating 18 months for her since coming over to Tassie [from South Australia] with her stress fractures and getting fit,” Wegman said.
“She is restricted in how many overs she can bowl but I remember her first game back, her first ball went for four wides, she bowled about 14 extras in three overs.
“But each week you can see her getting her rhythm, her action is nice and smooth and she’s just consistently hitting the top of off and just outside.
“Each week she’s getting more consistent and just a much better player every game.”
Kathryn Bryce continued her stellar form in the chase, finishing on 67 not out from 72 balls and now has amassed a league best 440 runs at an incredible average of 146.7 in the one-dayers this season.
Clarence’s quest for its first 50-over win of the season continues after the Roos were soundly beaten by red hot North Hobart.
Batting first the Demons piled on 5-311, with Hannah Short smashing 135 from 109 balls (12 fours and two sixes).
The total was far too great for Clarence, which was bowled out for 211 despite 69 from opener Kate Sherriff.
In the men’s competition, South Hobart-Sandy Bay stormed into the one-day final from fifth place thanks to an impressive win over New Town and other results going its way.
The Sharks will face Kingborough in the decider next Sunday at the Twin Ovals.
They made the final by bowling the Bucks out for 173 on the back of another impressive collective bowling performance led by Jordan Cooper’s season’s best 4-43.
There were a couple of wobbles in the chase, especially after the Sharks fell to 5-87, but contributions from Caleb Oakes (44), Sam Voss (30 not out) and Archie Banks-Smith (19 not out) saw South Hobart-Sandy Bay secure victory with 31 balls and four wickets remaining.
It was a disappointing end for New Town, which was in the box seat to qualify for the final being in second spot on the 50-over ladder with one game to go, while losses to University and Glenorchy saw the Sharks leapfrog those clubs into the decider with Kingborough.
The Greater Northern Raiders travelled South and put paid to Glenorchy’s finals hopes thanks to another superb performance from Sam Omahony.
Omahony led the way with bat and ball, making a career-high 123 not out in the Raiders 5-296 and then being just as devastating with the ball with 5-54 as the Magpies were held to 9-286 despite 127 to captain-coach Josh Hartill.
University’s return to form lasted just one round with the Lions soundly beaten by Kingborough at Uni Oval.
The Lions could only muster 9-216 from their 50 overs, a target the Knights chased down for the loss of four wickets with more than four overs to spare.
An unbeaten century to playing-coach Harry Allanby (120 not out) powered Clarence to a big win over Lindisfarne.
Allanby was by far the highlight in the Roos’ 5-282, with the Lightning never threatening the target before being rolled for just 149.
In a positive sign for the Roos and Tasmania, express quick Riley Meredith took 4-23 from six overs in Lindisfarne’s innings.