By Elliot Stevenson
Glenorchy is set to kickstart its two-day season at KGV Oval this Saturday, hosting South Hobart-Sandy Bay in a rematch of last weekend’s one-day thriller.
The Magpies are carrying momentum from wins over the Sharks and North Hobart in recent weeks, having previously been winless in their first three matches.
A loss last Sunday spoiled the mood slightly, but there remains plenty to be optimistic about for 1st Grade coach Nathan Matthews.
“We feel like we’ve been in most games so far,” he said. “It's been really pleasing to see that we've had a positive start.”
“But we’re obviously looking for more and are hungry for more success.
“It was tough last year, not winning any one-day or two-day games.
“But the process that we've built throughout the preseason and the belief we've given the players has given them the chance to go out and compete.”
The Magpies sit a respectable sixth at the conclusion of the one-day regular season, just five points off the top four.
Matthews was glowing in his praise of the club’s new faces, but also the depth of young talent coming through the junior system.
“We’ve recruited really well,” he said. “Mansukh [Singh], Kasun [Balasuriya], and Vishwa [Deemantha] have come into our team, but it’s the Glenorchy homegrown guys that have really shown a good level of improvement so far which is going to hold us in good stead for red-ball cricket.”
“Tarkyn Jones, Alex Rolle, Ryan Green and Brandon Kopper are the ones that have been helping us in those games.”
Glenorchy face South Hobart-Sandy Bay across the next two weekends, and Matthews insists his side will not be taking the Sharks lightly despite beating them last Saturday.
“They're a quality outfit and we have utmost respect for them,” he said. “They've got a lot of quality players with the bat and ball.”
“We're certainly just focused on the small things and the small wins at the moment.
“So, we'll be going in like no other week with full respect for them.
“But beating them gives us a little bit of belief that we can do it again.”
The Magpies will also welcome back Hobart Hurricanes all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhury.
Lindisfarne and Kingborough will face off in a potential Kookaburra Cup final preview on Saturday at ANZAC Park.
The Lightning survived a scare last weekend after losing to North Hobart, managing to finish fourth.
Charlie Wakim has been in red-hot form, scoring three centuries in five CTPL matches, including 117 off 126 balls on Saturday.
Kingborough’s Zac Curtain also starred against the Demons last weekend, firing his way to 141 off 113 balls in a narrow victory.
The Knights finished second and will host Clarence in a Kookaburra Cup semi-final next Sunday.
Tasmania Tigers star batsman Jordan Silk is set to make his return at the TCA Ground as North Hobart hosts New Town.
The Demons had a one-day season to forget, winning just one of their six games, but will be buoyed by the return of Silk.
Richard Cowlard’s side won their first game last Saturday, defeating Lindisfarne by six wickets through contributions from Nick Davis (57 off 36 balls) and Aiden Bariol (73 not out off 76 balls).
Their opponent New Town is another side looking to shake off the disappointment of missing out on the Kookaburra Cup semi-finals as the red-ball season begins, having finished fifth with a 3-3 record.
University’s two-day premiership defence begins with a trip to Kangaroo Bay Oval to take on an in-form Clarence outfit searching for a fifth win in six matches.
The Lions’ Kookaburra Cup chances were dashed by a loss to Greater Northern last Saturday, but a bounce back victory over South Hobart-Sandy Bay reminded the competition of Uni’s prowess.
New captain Ruwantha Kellapotha has been a revelation for the Lions, scoring a half-century in all of his five matches so far this season.
Clarence’s new skipper Justin Galeotti has also proved his talent since returning from Victoria in the preseason.
Galeotti scored a classy century last weekend and has two previous knocks in the nineties for the Roos.
In the women’s competition, New Town will look to bounce back from last weekend’s eight-wicket T20 loss to Greater Northern in Launceston.
The Bucks are sitting on the bottom of the CTPL ladder but have the opportunity to climb the table with matches against North Hobart on Saturday, and Clarence and Greater Northern on Sunday.
Nathan Wegman’s side are the reigning T20 premiers but have so far failed to live up to the moniker, winning two of their seven matches.
In contrast, North Hobart, which finished third in the T20 competition last season, is sitting second in the table.
The Demons lost last weekend to ladder leaders Greater Northern, with a rematch scheduled for Sunday, as well as matchups against New Town and Clarence.
Caitlin Mair (65 not out off 51 balls) made her first big score for her new club since joining from Queensland, despite the loss to the Raiders.