Clarence opener Michaela Kirk powered the Roos to a pair of victories on Sunday as the CTPL T20 women’s competition nears its conclusion.
Kirk smashed an unbeaten 101 off 75 balls in the first game of the day against New Town and was the only Roos player in double figures as they chased down 135 with 10 balls remaining.
The South African then followed up with 64 off 48 balls as Clarence defeated North Hobart to improve its record to eight wins and two losses.
Kirk insists the whole side is clicking and putting forth team efforts, despite her run-scoring brilliance.
“The commitment within the group is really great and everyone's excited to be there, which is what you want,” she said.
“I’m just hoping I can step up when I can and luckily I did on the weekend.
“But I think it was just an overall team performance to get over the line, especially the tight game against North Hobart.
“It just shows the hard work that everyone has been putting in over the last couple of years.
“Obviously not having our state players there was a bit of a challenge, but I think the girls stepped up and we showed that we can be a force to reckon with without them.”
The wins ensure Clarence will feature in the T20 Grand Final regardless of next weekend’s results, a starkly different result from last season’s T20 competition, in which the Roos finished bottom with just two wins.
“I'm very excited,” she said. “Playing at Ninja [Stadium] will be a great experience for a lot of the girls, and hopefully we can get over the line and bring home a trophy for Clarence.”
The Roos narrowly held on against North Hobart, leaving it to the last ball to successfully defend 138.
Captain Sophia Di Venuto (2/21 off 4 overs) and Mackenzie Walker (2/23 off 4 overs) were instrumental towards the death against the reigning one-day premiers, while Imogen Ransley (2/12 off 3 overs) starred in the morning game against New Town.
It was not all doom and gloom for North Hobart, however, with the Demons comprehensively defeating Greater Northern at the TCA Ground.
Caitlin Mair (41 off 27 balls) and Julia Cavanough (47 not out off 36 balls) played supporting roles as Melodie Armstrong made a classy unbeaten 88 off 59 balls.
The Demons posted 1-192, a target which proved to be too large for the Raiders (4-96 off 20 overs) in the end.
The results did not improve for Greater Northern in the afternoon, falling agonisingly short against New Town at Lindisfarne Oval.
Jessica Bohn (49 not out off 59 balls) starred for the Bucks, while her opening partner Ailsa Lister failed to continue her form from the morning game against Clarence where she scored 85 off 48 balls in the loss.
The Raiders were unable to get going while chasing 120, losing consistent wickets as they slowly made their way to the target.
With an over left, however, the Raiders seemed in the box seat, needing six to win and five to tie.
Addison Heenan for just two runs, taking the key wicket of Charlotte Clayton in the process as the Bucks won their third match of the season.
In the men’s competition, Clarence duo Lawrence Neil-Smith (173 off 165) and Ryan Borsboom (129 not out off 187) began the two-day season with ferocious innings to put the sword to reigning premiers University.
The pair put on a massive partnership of 221 as the Roos declared at 3-394, sending Uni into bat with 12 overs to play.
Neil-Smith and veteran Sam Rainbird (3/13 off 6 overs) then tore through the Lions top order, leaving them 5-33 at stumps.
Lindisfarne enjoyed a similar day to Clarence, piling on the runs against Kingborough before taking a key late wicket before the end of play.
Lightning captain Tom McGann hit 161 off 200 balls, relishing his time at the crease at Lindisfarne Oval.
Sebastian Brown (53 not out off 68 balls) fired off some lower order runs as Lindisfarne declared at 9-322 late in the day.
Veteran seamer Keegan Oates dismissed Knights captain Dylan Hay for 2, before James Scott and Pat Harnwell saw out the remainder of the play and will resume next Saturday.
South Hobart-Sandy Bay was able to have its most productive day with the bat so far this season, as Will Prestwidge led the way with 84 off 113 balls against Glenorchy at KGV Oval.
Tom Willoughby (56 off 150 balls), captain Sam Voss (45 off 84 balls), and Harry Thomson (42 not out off 118 balls) also troubled the scorers as the Sharks ended play at 7-287.
Youngster Tarkyn Jones (3/48 off 16 overs) worked diligently for the Magpies, who face a challenging task next weekend.
North Hobart’s Caleb Jewell announced his return to CTPL cricket with a steady 56 off 96 deliveries, but it was New Town who dominated at the TCA Ground.
The Bucks restricted the hosts to 165, with Caelan Maladay putting forth perhaps the best bowling display of the season, taking 6/52 off 19 overs.
It is the first five-wicket haul of any men’s player this season, in what has been a year dominated by the batters.
New Town sits 1-91, with Joe Randall (42 not out off 104 balls) and Josh Hartill (19 not out off 68 balls) set to resume early on Saturday morning.
Both sides are aiming to make a push for the top four after failing to qualify for the Kookaburra Cup finals.