By Elliot Stevenson
Kingborough kick-started its 2025-26 CTPL season with a Round 1 victory and a measure of revenge over last season’s conqueror University at the Twin Ovals on Saturday. The Knights were dispatched in last season’s Two-Day Final by University, but coach Tom Marytn said early season points were the only motivation required.
“It’s a really important win,” Martyn said. “We’re a young group, so to get a win gives great confidence to everyone.”
“The teams have changed a lot so there was no chat of redemption or anything like that.
“It was just another game.”
The Knights won the toss and elected to bowl, restricting Uni to 6-224 off 50 overs despite a classy century from opener Zac Phair (100 not out off 160 balls), who was limited to one boundary on a lush Twin Ovals outfield following heavy Spring rain.
An equally stylish innings from Kingborough’s Zac Curtain (97 not out off 125 balls) guided Kingborough to a five wicket win with 4.3 overs to spare, sending a warning to the rest of the competition that they will be premiership contenders once again. Martyn was influential in the game himself, taking 3/33 off 10 overs, including the key wicket of Lions captain Ruwantha Kellapotha (56 off 78 balls).
However, his praise was heaped on rising star Curtain, whose 117-run partnership with captain Dylan Hay (57 off 73 balls) made all the difference in the match.
“Zac’s a very exciting prospect,” he said. “He’s been away in the NT playing cricket for the whole winter.”
“He came back in good form yesterday which was pleasing.”
A valiant Clarence fell short against New Town at Kangaroo Bay Oval, with the Roos bowled out just 10 runs short of their target. The Bucks took the chocolates thanks to an even team batting performance and a strong opening bowling partnership between Caelan Maladay (4/41 off 9.4 overs) and Tyler Willmott (3/40 off 10 overs).
The two seamers dismissed superstars Mac Wright and Ben McDermott for low scores, before Willmott took the key wicket of Michael Jones (70 off 115 balls) with less than three overs remaining.
New recruit Josh Hartill also played a significant role, second top-scoring for Clarence with 38 off 66 balls before taking an impressive five catches with the wicket-keeping gloves.
Former Roos captain Harry Allanby (40 off 59 balls) provided some support for Jones, but New Town proved too strong.
Lindisfarne star Charlie Wakim hit a powerful century to lift the Lightning above Glenorchy at Lindisfarne Oval. The Magpies made 198 all out, with Alex Rolle contributing a run-a-ball 56 not out to lead all scorers for the away side. But it was Wakim and Lindisfarne’s day as he hit 105 not out off just 79 balls to fire his side into the positive half of the CTPL ladder.
Wakim was supported by opener Rory McAlpin (54 off 72 balls), an offseason signing from Pambula in New South Wales.
The Lightning cruised to a 7-wicket victory, needing just 26.4 overs to chase down Glenorchy’s total.
The Greater Northern Raiders defended their home turf, defeating the travelling South Hobart-Sandy Bay by 9-wickets on Sunday at Riverside. Harry Nichols (80 off 128 balls) was the best for the Sharks, but Raiders’ prodigy Tom Dwyer stole the show with 101 not out off 158 balls. It’s Dwyer’s maiden CTPL 1st Grade century in what promises to be a potential breakout season for the nephew of Tasmanian cricket legend Ricky Ponting.
Cooper Anthes (74 not out off 104 balls) was a notable supporting act as the Raiders dismantled South Hobart-Sandy Bay’s bowling lineup, kicking off their season in style.
In the women’s competition, Kingborough was made to wait for its first victory back in the big time but were successful against New Town in their second T20 match on Sunday.
New Town, the reigning T20 premiers, were out to make a statement – and Kathryn Bryce delivered in emphatic fashion, blasting an unbeaten 118 from just 69 balls to make life difficult for the Knights.
Bryce hit 16 boundaries to take the Bucks to 2-168, which proved an unassailable total for Kingborough despite playing-coach Emily Divin’s (50 not out off 47 balls) best efforts.
The second matchup proved more successful for the fledgling Knights. Ellie Henley (4/10 off 3.4 overs) starred with the ball in her debut 1st Grade game, restricting New Town to just 92. This target was less challenging for Kingborough, and Amy Gordon led the path to victory with 42 off 37 balls, including two sixes.
The win capped off an emotional weekend for the Knights, returning to the premier competition after five years.
The other matchup produced a similar outcome, with North Hobart and Clarence sharing one win apiece across the day. Clarence’s Maisy Gibson (3/11 off 4 overs) led the way in the first of the two games, helping to limit the Demons to 9-74 in the opening innings.
Opener Tabatha Saville (44 not out off 42 balls) set up the debut victory for new Roos coach Jeff Hemming. Saville didn’t stop there, belting 71 not out off 61 balls in the first innings of the second match to lead Clarence to 2-156 off 20 overs.
New recruit Tanja Lee (64 off 59 balls) partnered Saville in a massive 153-run opening partnership that had the Roos in pole position.
However, it was not to be, as North Hobart came home with a wet sail off the back of Mia Barwick (35 not out off 27 balls) and new coach Julia Cavanough (44 off 30 balls) to win by 7-wickets.
The Women’s 1st Grade competition remains wide open after two rounds of T20 action, with all four teams that played ending the weekend with one win each.