By Elliot Stevenson
The Greater Northern Raiders women braved a wet and windy Launceston Sunday, splitting a pair of T20s with newcomers Kingborough at the NTCA Ground.
The Raiders were without any of their state-contracted players, winning the first match of the day before falling short in the following for the second consecutive weekend.
Coach Andy Gower puts the lack of consistency down to the squad’s inexperience.
“I just think it’s a bit of a mindset, being such an inexperienced team and coming on and off all day, it didn’t really suit us,” he said.
“Last season we were slow starters, so we were actually losing the first game but winning the second game.
“In the second game we just lost our way a bit.
“To lose three wickets in the first five overs, it was always going to be a challenge with some inexperience throughout the middle order.”
The lack of available contracted talent coincides with the T20 Spring Challenge set to begin today, with much of the competition’s top stars representing their various WBBL teams.
Despite this, Gower was pleased to see some signs from the remainder of the Raiders squad.
“I thought the girls bowled really well in the first game,” he said. “It wasn’t easy bowling up into the breeze, so I thought they did a great job.”
“It’s difficult when you’ve got bad weather.
“It’s been horrible conditions the last couple of weekends in Launceston.”
The Raiders set a total of 7-106 in the first matchup, courtesy of a half-century from Montana Bradley (50 not out off 52 balls) in trying conditions.
“I was really happy with the way Montana Bradley took control of the innings in the first game and set up a nice target for us to defend, with Chloe Casey’s assistance,” Gower said.
“That was a real positive.”
Kingborough playing-coach Emily Divin was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, taking 3/17 off 4 overs.
The Knights were unable to make it count, however, stumbling to 6-64 in a rain-affected run chase.
The afternoon rematch proved more successful for Kingborough, as Greater Northern mustered just 5-61 off 13 overs.
Amy Gordon (47 not out off 33 balls) compounded the Raiders’ misery, chasing down the total in just 8.3 overs.
“We just couldn’t get going and couldn’t get a total,” Gower said. “Once again, Montana and Mon Booth put a nice partnership together to get us a respectable total.”
“We just weren’t able to execute with the ball.
“Our focus will certainly be on consistency and making sure that we are switched on for the full 80 overs over the course of the day.”
Clarence has won both matches against New Town away from home at New Town Oval, climbing to the top of the CTPL ladder in a dominant display.
The Roos restricted their opponents to 8-92 in the opening game, with Jessica Ransley (2/10 off 4 overs) and Tabatha Saville (2/7 off 4 overs) not giving the Bucks an inch.
Rachel Trenaman then belted an unbeaten 62 not out off just 30 balls to make her mark on the new CTPL season.
Trenaman continued her strong form from the WNCL, relishing her return to cricket after multiple knee surgeries over the last few seasons.
New Town’s lead disappeared in just 47 balls as Clarence took full points.
The Bucks batted first once again in the return fixture, managing 8-101 as Sophia Di Venuto (3/16 off 4 overs) starred for the Roos.
The chasing duties then fell to Michaela Kirk (45 not out off 40 balls) and Maisy Gibson (31 not out off 23 balls), who executed comprehensively.
In the men’s competition, Lindisfarne continued its undefeated run, beating reigning premiers University in a high-scoring encounter at Lindisfarne Oval on Saturday.
Harshtik Bimbral (117 off 91 balls) and Tom McGann (109 off 77 balls) hit twin centuries, powering the Lightning to a massive total of 8-310 off 50 overs.
It was Bimbral’s first century in CTPL cricket and McGann’s first since February 2020 against New Town.
The newest Tasmania Tigers debutant Ruwantha Kellapotha displayed his class for Uni, taking 3/39 off 10 overs and hitting 77 off 82 balls, but the Lions ultimately fell 34 runs short.
Louis Smith (83 off 74 balls) also reminded the competition of his prowess with the bat, despite the loss.
The batting bug seemed spread across the competition on the weekend, as New Town’s narrow victory over South Hobart-Sandy Bay also involved a number of large scores.
The Bucks’ newest recruit Josh Hartill carved his way to 86 off 117 balls, playing second fiddle to New Town’s top run scorer from last season, Jayden Vince (102 off 62 balls).
Vince helped his side to 5-292, which the Sharks fell 28 agonising runs short of in their attempts to secure their first victory of the season.
New captain Sam Voss (75 off 82 balls) and Tom Willoughby (80 not out off 73 balls) gave Richard Allanby’s side a genuine chance, but it was ultimately not to be.
The runs did not abate at the TCA Ground in the match between North Hobart and Clarence, with Ben McDermott blasting an unbeaten 107 off 118 balls for the travelling Roos.
It is McDermott’s first score of note since joining Clarence from Lindisfarne during the preseason as a prized recruit of the offseason.
Another new, although familiar face in Justin Galeotti (68 off 111 runs) was crucial in setting the Roos total of 6-256, continuing his impressive form since returning from Victoria.
North Hobart put up a respectable effort in its chase, falling 53 runs short as it was dismissed for 203.
Harry Allanby (3/10 off 8 overs) and Blake Garrett (3/32 off 6.1 overs) were influential in the Roos’ restriction of the Demons.
Kingborough got back to winning ways against Glenorchy, chasing 179 in 28.4 overs to right the wrongs of last weekend’s loss to the Greater Northern Raiders.
A strong all-round bowling display helped set up a manageable chase for the Knights, with Pat Harnwell (72 not out off 99 balls) and captain Dylan Hay (95 off 71 balls) doing the business.
Kingborough now sits third on the CTPL one-day ladder behind the undefeated duo of Greater Northern and Lindisfarne as it looks to return to silverware.