By Elliot Stevenson
The Greater Northern Raiders face another stiff test as they host reigning premier University at Latrobe Oval on Saturday, with crucial points up for grabs in the race for the top four.
The Raiders currently sit fourth, on equal points from the previous round’s opponent New Town with a game in hand over the side they drew with last weekend.
Captain-coach Alistair Taylor says his side will take confidence from the match, despite conceding 342 to the Bucks.
“We batted well to fight out a draw,” he said. “The wicket was pretty flat, and I thought we bowled really well on day one without much luck.”
“They got away from us in that first hour on Saturday, but we batted well.
“Tom [Dwyer] and Cooper [Anthes] were outstanding with the bat
“It was always going to be a tough chase with a limited amount of overs and 350 so we did well to get away with it for points.”
Ending day two at 1-151, Dwyer (46 not out off 176 balls) and Anthes (55 not out off 114 balls) were resolute for the Raiders.
“We had a couple of games in a row where we've lost clumps of wickets consistently and haven't been able to rebuild,” Taylor said.
“It was good for the guys to bat for long periods of time and work really hard in tricky periods.
“It's been a focus area for us over the last month or so.
“New Town did bowl well on the weekend, so I guess you just tag that into this week and it’s probably not going to be as flat as what it was.”
Up next for Greater Northern, T20 premiers University fresh off a near outright win over South Hobart-Sandy Bay.
Taylor is wary of the Lions and their strong form but welcomes the challenge north.
“We’re just expecting a really hardened unit to come at us,” he said.
“The last few years, we've played some really good, close games of cricket against one another.
“They played an exciting game of cricket last week against Sandy Bay.
“We know they've got some really quality players, and we know if we're not our best, they'll jump all over us.
“We're looking forward to another good challenge.”
Whilst Uni are expected to miss finals and subsequently the opportunity to defend their title, they are all too familiar with the fine margins of a top four.
Taylor and the Raiders are aware as well, but the coach insists there is no added pressure for his side to perform.
“You take each game as it comes, but I guess, being so close on the ladder, they all feel a bit like finals games at the minute,” he said.
“It's just good preparation, if you do make finals, that you've been able to win some key games throughout the back end of the year, leading into them.
“So, whilst there's pressure, we know the ladder's tight and we're not too concerned about it.”
Clarence has the opportunity to all but secure top position at the end of the home-and-away season as it hosts third placed New Town at Kangaroo Bay Oval.
The Roos are currently four points clear of Lindisfarne atop the CTPL ladder, having been victorious at KGV Oval against Glenorchy last round.
Ryan Borsboom (133 not out off 183 balls) made a classy century in a successful chase, his second of the season as he continues to prove is calibre as a batsman.
A refreshed Kingborough coming off a bye will head to the TCA Ground with finals in its sights, taking on North Hobart.
The Knights are on the outside looking in when it comes to the top four, seven points behind Greater Northern and New Town respectively.
North Hobart, meanwhile, has struggled for much of the two-day season, winning just once against South Hobart-Sandy Bay in November of last year.
It was no different last weekend, with the Demons decimated by Lindisfarne at ANZAC Park.
After a 93-run first innings deficit, the Demons conceded 263 in the second, with Lightning opener Prasanna Ketheeshwaran (118 not out off 190 balls) bringing up triple figures and wicketkeeper-batsman Tom McGann chipping in with a quickfire 93 off 67 balls.
While unable to secure the outright win, Lindisfarne won comfortably and secured its position in the top two for the meantime.
The Lightning travel to Shark Park this weekend to take on the winless South Hobart-Sandy Bay, with a home final beckoning for the visitors.
In the women’s competition, a three-way race for the Kookaburra Cup grand final continues as Kingborough travels to Launceston to face Greater Northern at Invermay Park in a top-of-the-table clash.
The Raiders slipped up last weekend against North Hobart, the other side in contention for next month’s decider, but have the opportunity to correct that mistake against the Knights on Sunday.
The batting brilliance of Emma Manix-Geeves continues to light up the CTPL, typified by her 91 off 111 balls for the Raiders last Sunday.
Kingborough returns from the bye with the idea of confirming its place in the grand final with a win, and unprecedented achievement in its first season back in the women’s first grade competition.
Pressure is being applied by North Hobart, however, with the Demons having won three consecutive matches and making a late play for the big dance.
Playing-coach Julia Cavanough made her desires known last weekend, blasting an unbeaten 57 off 67 balls in the win over the Raiders at UTAS Stadium.
The Demons face New Town this weekend, with a win doubtless set to cause some measure in panic for the loser of the match at Invermay Park.