Elliot Stevenson
University won a second consecutive men’s CTPL T20 premiership in a classy display against Kingborough at the Twin Ovals on Thursday evening.
The Lions retained the trophy after a 24-run victory over their rivals down the highway, with young fast bowler Louis Smith winning the Matthew Wade Medal for the player of the match for his 3/29 off 3 overs.
Uni coach Ben Hilfenhaus says the result is great reward for hard work, and that the future is exciting for his young team.
“It's pretty pleasing,” he said. “There's a lot of hard work and stuff that goes on behind the scenes and it's great to see the club continue to develop even though we lost quite a few players from last year.”
“People have stepped up and filled those roles, it's pretty exciting.”
The star trio of Jake Doran, Brad Hope, and Tim Ward have led Uni’s turnaround since the Christmas break, and the runs did not abate yesterday evening.
Hope (33 off 26 balls) and Ward (58 off 37 balls) got the visitors off to a strong start, before Zac Phair displayed his hitting prowess with a quickfire 45 off 31 balls.
“I think if you look at the way the innings started, full credit goes to our top order there,” Hilfenhaus said.
“Wardy and Hopey and Zac (Phair), the way they assessed the conditions and didn't be too forceful early on.
“They just had to assess the conditions and get us to a reasonable position, so to speak.
“And then at the back end, we were able to cash in a little bit there.
“I think full credit to them on how they started our innings and got us into the game.”
With 175 to chase, Kingborough was off to a steady start with Nivethan Radhakrishnan and Zac Curtain both making their way into the thirties.
It was slow going however, and when Curtain was bowled by Leo Fountain for 37 off 25 balls, the game changed.
Captain Dylan Hay and Radhakrishnan (34 off 30 balls) fell within three balls to Louis Smith soon after, effectively ending any hope of a Knights triumph.
Tim Ward’s catch to dismiss Jack Ross wowed the strong crowd at the Twin Ovals, as did Leo Fountain’s to remove Knights’ coach Tom Martyn.
Brady Jones (33 off 20 balls) provided some excitement for local fans towards the end of the innings, but it was all in vain as Uni bowled Kingborough out for 151 with one ball remaining.
Khushwinder Singh (3/24 off 3.5 overs) and Brad Hope (2/23 off 3 overs) played supporting roles for Smith, who continues his whirlwind twelve months having played for Australia A in Darwin during the offseason last year.
Hilfenhaus praised his side’s performance in the match-winning bowling innings.
“We just had to stick to our plans and try to use the long side where we could and just use that change-up pretty well,” Hilfenhaus said.
“Overall, I think everyone sort of stuck to their game plan, didn't get too carried away and did their roles, which is outstanding to see.
“And fielding is a crucial part of the game.
“At the start of the T20s, we highlighted the fact that the importance of saving runs in the field and taking those catches.
“Because quite often it comes down to the last couple of balls of the game and every run you save obviously makes a big difference.
“When you include the likes of Wardy in the field, the standard generally goes up pretty quick with him around.
“It was great seeing him leading from the front in that respect.”
The premiership is Uni’s fourth since Hilfenhaus took over the role from Damien Wright after 2023-24, having won in all three competitions last season.
A disappointing one-day campaign this time around may have indicated the Lions’ run of success was over, but a mid-season resurgence has reminded the competition of the powerhouse that they are.
The games are coming thick and fast for University, however, with a two-day match against Glenorchy set to resume on Saturday.
Young batsman Charlie Hill (35 not out off 75 balls) and Brad Hope (16 not out off 23 balls) lead the chase, trailing by 83 with eight wickets in hand at University Oval.
Kingborough, meanwhile, hold a dominant lead of 344 over New Town at the bike track, courtesy of Jake Weatherald’s 131 off 129 balls last weekend.
The Knights posted 377 before taking three key wickets before stumps to hold the Bucks to 3-33.
South Hobart-Sandy Bay is in the box seat for a first two-day victory of the season, with Clarence trailing by 226 with eight wickets in hand at Kangaroo Bay Oval.
An early two-wickets from Sharks’ skipper Sam Voss (2/6 off 3 overs) to dismiss Blake Garrett and Ryan Borsboom has primed Richard Allanby’s side for a massive day this Saturday.
Lindisfarne is looking to turn a first innings win into an outright victory against the Greater Northern Raiders at the NTCA Ground, leading by 56 runs with six wickets remaining.
Tom McGann (62 off 95 balls) fell late on day one, but Prasanna Ketheeshwaran (73 not out off 141 balls) will resume for the Lightning at 4-162.
Ben Hann (4/23 off 12 overs), who was the player of the match in the Raiders’ Kookaburra Cup final success earlier this season, will be the main hope for Alistair Taylor and his team in order to avoid an outright loss.
In the women’s competition, Kingborough’s unprecedented run for the Kookaburra Cup final in its return year to first grade continues as the Knights host New Town on Sunday.
Emily Divin’s team is currently sitting second in the table, on equal points with the Raiders with five rounds remaining in the home-and-away season.
North Hobart is aiming to remain in touch with the top two as it travels across the bridge to face Clarence at Kangaroo Bay Oval.
The Demons are searching for a third consecutive victory as pressure continues to pile on Greater Northern and Kingborough.
Opening batter Caitlin Mair is in terrific form, averaging 180 in her previous two matches in the CTPL, and will be key if the Demons are to continue their blistering run.