Elliot Stevenson
Clarence is tantalisingly close to keeping its season alive against New Town at Kangaroo Bay, with just seven wickets needed for an outright win in Round 24 of the CTPL season.
The Roos remain 11 points behind the top four places with two games remaining and will likely need maximum points from both to have any chance of featuring in the finals later this month.
Last weekend was a step in the right direction for Harry Allanby’s side, however, as they lead by 117 with an innings in hand.
“We’re going into these last couple of games with sort of nothing to lose,” Allanby said.
“We need to play some attacking cricket to get ten points from potentially both games.”
Clarence bowled out New Town for 79 to start day one, with opening duo Sam Rainbird [5/16 off 10 overs] and Lachie Borsboom [5/26 off 9.1 overs] taking the sword to the Bucks batsmen.
Rainbird now has 42 wickets in the CTPL season, three shy of competition leader Param Uppal.
“Rainy does what he does,” Allanby said.
“It’s his third five-for in a row, so he was super.
“Lachie Borsboom got his first five-for, which is good reward for him.
“He bowled beautifully.
“Lachie plays his role perfectly, is really consistent, able to hold an end, and just gets enough movement with the red ball especially.
“To get those rewards on the weekend was really good for him.”
Even contributions throughout the Clarence batting lineup took them to 227, before Rainbird struck thrice before stumps.
At 3-31, New Town needs a change of fortune heading into day two, while the Roos are on the hunt for the final seven wickets of the game.
“We’ll do everything we can to plan to try and get the seven wickets as best as possible,” Allanby said.
“We’ll go and pitch the ball up, be nice and attacking.
“Hopefully Rainy can do something similar and we can keep our season alive for another week at least.”
Kingborough looks to continue its untouchable form at the top of the CTPL, holding a 125-run lead against North Hobart.
Knights’ captain Tom Martyn dismantled the Demons’ batting lineup, taking 7/27 off 9 overs, before half-centuries from Nivethan Radhakrishnan and Zac Curtain secured a first innings victory for the ladder-leaders.
North Hobart’s seven-point lead looks to be under threat from a host of challengers, while Kingborough has all but confirmed it will finish the year on top.
The Knights have not lost since a T20 semi-final against University in mid-December, an exceptional run of form that they will look to continue in the postseason.
An intriguing matchup between two finals hopefuls is set to enthral viewers at Queenborough this Saturday, with South Hobart-Sandy Bay putting forth a terrific batting display on day one.
Sharks’ batsman Tom Willoughby made 107 off 189 balls, leading his side to 8-320 at stumps.
However, with the looming threats of star hitters Mac Wright, Charlie Wakim, and Jarrod Freeman, South Hobart-Sandy Bay will take no liberties in their preparation for day two.
The two teams sit sixth and seventh on the table, heaping pressure on North Hobart in fourth, and both staking their claims for a position in the top four.
After a brilliant first half of the season, University has faltered in recent weeks, losing back-to-back for the first time all season against Lindisfarne and Kingborough, relinquishing top spot to the latter.
The Lions now find themselves in a harsh predicament against Greater Northern, needing a reverse outright to beat the Raiders.
Uni were bowled out for just 62, their lowest score of the season so far, before Alistair Taylor hit a half-century to ensure a 102-run lead at the conclusion of the first innings.
With 16 overs left in the day, Uni lost the two key wickets of openers Paddy Dooley and Nikethan Radhakrishnan, trailing by 70 at stumps.
The Raiders will be looking for their own outright, extra points that would surely put them in a finals position heading into the last round of the season.
In the women’s competition, the last round of the season involves a one-day grand final preview between Greater Northern and North Hobart takes place on Sunday, with the winner determining where the game will be played.
The Raiders need to win and gain at least one bonus point to go top, meaning they will have to score at 1.25 the rate of North Hobart to take the final up north.
Already possessing a better overall run rate than the Demons, Greater Northern can go equal on points and still finish above their opponents, ensuring a home grand final next weekend.
The Raiders loss to New Town last weekend looks to be one they will regret slipping away, but with the star talent of players such as Emma Manix-Geeves and Ruth Johnston, will not be shying away from any opportunity to secure a trophy.
They face a stiff test in North Hobart, which possesses match-winners throughout its lineup, including Elyse Villani, Naomi Stalenberg, and Nicola Carey.
New Town host Clarence at New Town Oval, a match that will be played for bragging rights and a confidence boost heading into the offseason.
The Bucks can rise to third, if they gain a double bonus point, scoring at twice the rate of their opponents in a win.
Having won the T20 premiership, it has been a largely disappointing one-day campaign for New Town, but a win over the Roos would grant some consolation at seasons end.