By Elliot Stevenson
The undefeated Greater Northern Raiders have the opportunity to book themselves a home Kookaburra Cup semi-final as they travel south to take on University and New Town this weekend.
Greater Northern currently sits second on the CTPL ladder, having won its opening three matches before last weekend’s clash with Glenorchy was washed out.
Raiders’ captain-coach Alistair Taylor has been impressed with his side in the early stages of season 2025-26.
“We’ve had some really good contributions with the bat,” he said. “Getting runs on the board is obviously really important in white-ball cricket.”
“A couple of guys have scored hundreds, which has been pleasing in the top-order.
“We’ve been on the right side of DLS a couple of times, but we’ve obviously bowled well enough to be on that right side.
“We probably haven’t put a full game together yet, but I’m hoping this weekend we can.”
The Raiders face the reigning premier in University on Saturday, before a key finals-shaping matchup with New Town on Sunday in a blockbuster weekend of CTPL cricket.
Taylor recognises the position his side are in and maintains they will take no shortcuts as a home semi-final looms large.
“We understand what’s at stake; a couple of wins to play some finals cricket in white-ball stuff,” he said. “We’re under no illusion.”
“Uni and New Town are really good cricket teams as well, so we know we’ve got to play our best to beat them.”
The return of Billy Stanlake to the Raiders’ setup has been a major boost for Taylor’s side, with the ace fast-bowler taking 4/25 in last weekend’s rain affected game at Queenborough.
Greater Northern will be relying on the experience of Stanlake, as well as the star power of all-rounder Aidan O’Connor and opening batsman Tom Dwyer to ensure the bus ride home is an enjoyable one.
Taylor ensures his side are well prepared, despite not having not completed a full game since their victory over Kingborough three weekends ago.
“Guys have been playing local cricket as well,” he said. “We’ve had opportunities to play full games, just not as a group.”
“Players shouldn’t be too underdone, it’s just as a unit we’re probably a little bit underdone, but that’s no excuse.
“I think more than anything, we’re probably frustrated by the weather.
“We’re just itching to have a full game out there.”
The Raiders take on a University side on Saturday which is fresh off its first victory of its premiership defence over North Hobart last weekend.
The Lions will aim to carry their momentum into this weekend, with young batsman Charlie Hill (115 not out off 131 balls) exciting against the Demons.
Ben Hilfenhaus’ side also play on Sunday, across the hedges against local rivals South Hobart-Sandy Bay.
New Town has a bye on Saturday, before Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders is set to determine its finals future.
The Bucks currently sit just outside the top four and will have to rely on other results to make a push for another chance at silverware.
Lindisfarne can secure its place in the Kookaburra Cup finals on Saturday with a victory over a North Hobart outfit still searching for its first win.
The Lightning have won all but one of their five games so far this season, with Charlie Wakim (239 runs at 79.67) leading the way with the bat.
Wakim has scored two centuries in his previous four CTPL matches and will be aiming to continue his good form against the Demons at the TCA Ground this weekend.
Glenorchy remains a finals hopeful as it takes on South Hobart-Sandy Bay and Clarence across both days of this weekend.
The Magpies currently sit sixth, with a game in hand over New Town who are placed one spot above them.
Last Thursday’s victory over North Hobart at the TCA Ground, as well as a washout against Greater Northern, provided Glenorchy with the points they require to mount a challenge on the top four.
The Magpies will face stiff competition in Clarence on Sunday, with the Roos firmly positioned inside the finals’ places.
Shane Holland’s side is riding a wave of confidence, having won its last three matches.
The Roos will have to do battle with Glenorchy, as well as Kingborough on Saturday, without star batsman Ben McDermott due to an Australian T20I squad callup.
Saturday’s matchup with the Knights looms as a must-win for either side as they push for a home Kookaburra Cup semi-final.
Kingborough has won its past two matches since falling short against Greater Northern in Round 4 and finds itself in familiar territory in the race for the finals.
Young gun Zac Curtain is averaging an unfathomable 240 from his four CTPL innings this season, while captain Dylan Hay has made an impressive 253 runs at an average of 84.33.
Hay sits second on the leading run scorers in the competition, behind only Uni’s Ruwantha Kellapotha.
Kingborough also faces North Hobart at the TCA Ground on Sunday.
In the women’s competition, a Clarence side firing under new coach Jeff Hemming travels to play Kingborough in a pair of T20s at the Twin Ovals on Sunday.
The Roos have won three consecutive matches and sit second on the CTPL T20 ladder after finishing last season strongly.
The two premier bowlers of the competition so far this season in Sophia Di Venuto (Clarence) and Shelby Leonard (Kingborough) will no doubt be major contributors for either side.
The pair have taken nine wickets apiece to lead the rest of the bowlers in the competition over the opening eight rounds of T20 cricket.
In the other matches, ladder leaders North Hobart travel north alongside New Town to challenge Greater Northern at UTAS Stadium.
The Demons have won all but one of their six games so far this season, with Melodie Armstrong (202 runs at 40.4) making her mark with bat in hand.
Both New Town and the Raiders are sitting on the outside looking in when it comes to qualifying to the T20 Grand Final in three weeks’ time.
The two sides hold records of 2-4, making Sunday’s matchup all the more intriguing for the neutral observer.
Photo credit: Craig George