The Greater Northern Raiders are eight wickets away from an unprecedented outright win over dual premiers University in day one action of Round 24 of the CTPL season.
The Raiders skittled Uni for just 62 on Saturday morning, the smallest total the Lions have been able to produce this season.
Greater Northern playing-coach Alistair Taylor [57 off 73 balls] was the only player to score over 34 on the day, making an impressive half-century on what was a tough batting pitch at University Oval.
“With the bat, I was really impressed with how we sorted it out and got a decent score,” Taylor said.
“I was really pleased to be able to lead from the front and put a performance on the board as leaders have to do.
“I probably got a little bit lucky, but it was nice to contribute in a way.”
Ruthless is the word that typified Greater Northern’s performance on Saturday, and Taylor maintains it’s the key to securing an outright win and going on to play finals.
“I think we bowled really well,” he said.
“We didn’t think the wicket was going to do as much as it probably did.
“I think we were pretty ruthless with our line and length yesterday and not giving them anything.”
The Raiders scrapped to 164, holding a 102-run lead as the second innings begun.
University will resume at 2-32 with Tom Chapman and Mason Wright, having lost both openers late on day one.
“Obviously, Param [Uppal] and Brad Hope hold the key for them,” Taylor said.
“If we can this first wicket and get them in, and then it’s just being ruthless.
“The extra points would be extremely important; the ladder is so tight.
“There are a few other results we’ll be keeping an eye on, but obviously we can only control what we can control.”
For the meantime, Greater Northern remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the top four, sitting seven points behind fourth placed North Hobart.
The Raiders will be boosted by the knowledge of the Demons’ predicament against Kingborough, and the fact that their competitors have the final bye of the season in Round 25.
Clarence is also on the precipice of an outright win, possessing a 117-run lead over New Town at Kangaroo Bay Oval.
The Roos dismissed their opponents for just 79 to open day one, with veteran Sam Rainbird [5/16 off 10 overs] and Lachlan Borsboom [5/26 off 9.1 overs] combining to dismantle the Bucks batting lineup.
New Town’s misery was compiled as an even batting performance took Clarence to 227, and to a lead of 148.
Rainbird was at it again in the final overs before stumps, taking three early wickets to set up a potential outright win for his side.
Clarence currently sits 11 points the finals positions, with an outright win likely needed to have a chance to qualify with just one game remaining against South Hobart-Sandy Bay.
Kingborough coach Tom Martyn has led his side to a commanding position away from home against the in-form North Hobart.
Martyn took 7/27 off nine overs, his second haul of the year along with a 6/48 against the Sharks in round 22.
North Hobart fell for just 94, before giving up 9-219 to the Knights before the end of the day’s play.
Nivethan Radhakrishnan [59 off 100 balls] and Zac Curtain [53 off 81 balls] made half-centuries, while Martyn is set to resume at the crease on day two at 39 not out.
Martyn, along with Cameron Walter, will look to extend Kingborough’s 125-run lead and confirm their place of first on the table following the conclusion of the home-and-away season.
The South Hobart-Sandy Bay Sharks have seemingly put their six consecutive losses out of their minds, starting their matchup against Lindisfarne with a bang.
The Sharks batted all of day one, ending at 8-320 off a massive 96 overs.
Tom Willoughby [107 off 189 balls] was the star for Richard Allanby’s side, as they look to secure their first win in any format since a T20 semi-final in December.
Despite its stark run of form, South Hobart-Sandy Bay remains just eight points behind North Hobart in fourth place, with a genuine chance to still be playing later this month.
The ever-consistent Keegan Oates [4/64 off 27 overs] was the pick of the bowlers for Lindisfarne, who will need to pull off an almighty chase next Saturday.
North Hobart has taken a major step towards a home grand final in the women’s CTPL, defeating Clarence at the TCA Ground on Sunday.
Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania Tigers player Lauren Smith played her first game for Clarence, hitting 71 off 109 balls to help the Roos post 6-218 off 50 overs, but an efficient chase from the Demons ensured they would go five points clear on top of the ladder.
Opener Naomi Stalenberg [59 off 78 balls] hit seven fours on her way to a half-century, playing a major role in North Hobart’s four-wicket win.
Having lost to Clarence just a week ago, North Hobart were able to exorcise their demons and set up next weekend’s grand final preview against Greater Northern as a match for the right to host the big dance.
98 not out off 102 balls from Emma Manix-Geeves was not enough for the Raiders to get across the line against New Town, while Beth Lane starred for the triumphant Bucks.
Lane took 5/32 off 6.2 overs, as well as a crucial 50 runs off 79 balls to drag her side to victory.
Chasing 211, the New Town trio of Lane, Chloe Abel [82 not out off 128 balls], and Vanessa Dobson [45 off 74 balls] came up big for the Bucks second one-day win of the season.
While playing only for pride, Nathan Wegman’s team will take a lot from the game heading into their final matchup of the year against Clarence next Sunday.
Photo by Hutch's Photos