By Elliot Stevenson
Clarence has been crowned CTPL two-day premiers for the first time since 2018 following its 238-run victory over New Town at Ninja Stadium last weekend.
The Roos piled on 441 across Friday and the early parts of Saturday, before fast-bowler Kieran Elliott put the Bucks to the sword, taking 6/53 off 26 overs.
Coach Shane Holland reflected on his side’s undefeated red-ball season and draught-breaking premiership success.
“It's a good feeling,” he said. “The boys have deserved it.”
“They've played some really good cricket, particularly in red-ball cricket.
“The opportunity to prove that you're best team in the competition at the end of the season is really satisfying and enjoyable.
“It doesn't get much sweeter than winning the three-day final, particularly winning it convincingly.”
It took navigating the brilliance of New Town seamer Caelan Maladay to secure the result, however, with the New South Welshman taking 6/101 off 39 overs.
Maladay struck early on Friday morning, dismissing Roos’ skipper Justin Galeotti for 10 and later Ryan Borsboom for 35.
“[Maladay] was super impressive,” Holland said. “We've got huge respect for him.”
“We've got massive respect for New Town as a group as well, but Caelan Maladay in particular was outstanding.
“He just kept running in with the ball, giving effort, bowed beautifully, and even with the bat, he really dug in and made our job really tough.
“I thought it was a super impressive performance from a young man who's a high-quality cricketer and he's got plenty to look forward to in his future.”
At 3-93 and a crucial stage in the match, Mac Wright and Michael Jones began their record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership.
Wright hit 21 fours on his way to 171 off 285 balls, while Jones played brilliantly for his 131 off 241 balls.
The partnership, which totalled 277, was Clarence’s largest ever fourth-wicket score, and the highest fourth-wicket partnership in any CTPL final in history.
“[Wright] has been super on and off the field, but particularly in recent times,” Holland said. “I think he's got four hundreds in his last four innings.”
“To go big and win the Roger Woolley medal is just outstanding, and we're super happy for Mac.
“He's fitted in beautifully to our club and we've loved having him with us.
“Mike Jones is fantastic.
“Just an outstanding contributor over a long period of time.
“He’s been an assistant coach at the club, club captain, long-time first-grade player, 300-game player.
“And to see Mike convert into triple figures, make a big 130, was just great to see and great reward for what he's done for many, many years.”
New Town’s chase never hit full gear, with club-leading run scorer Jayden Vince providing the only spark for Peter Di Venuto’s side, making 55 off 93 balls.
It was the Kieran Elliott show for Clarence, the Tasmania Tigers star taking five consecutive wickets to tear through the Bucks’ middle-order.
“Kieran Elliott's just above the level of Premier League cricket,” Holland said.
“He was outstanding with the ball and made a really good contribution with the bat in the first innings of the game as well.
“But with the ball, he was just a class above and looked threatening.
“He's a super athlete and we obviously love having him part of our group.
“There's plenty bigger and better things to come for Kieran in the future as well.”
New Town managed just 203 before being bowled out early on Sunday morning, confirming Clarence as red-ball champions of the CTPL for 2025-26.
The Bucks exacted some measure of revenge in second grade, defeating Clarence at the bike track by 63 runs.
The loss meant the Roos missed out on winning the major prize in all three grades, as third grade took home its second consecutive two-day title.
For Holland, the allure of the triple-premiership was enticing, but he insists the club is more than pleased with the weekend’s results.
“It was disappointing to miss out on the twos, particularly our long-time second grade players that have been yearning for that second grade premiership for a long time,” he said.
“They’ll keep working at it and they'll keep fronting up time and time again.
“They should be super proud of to keep making these finals.
“For us as a club, we'd love to see them get across the line, but it wasn't to be this year.
“To have all three teams in grand finals was a great achievement for everyone at our club and to bring home two of those, two out of three ain't bad.
“We're going to be greedy and want all three, but it's a super effort from everyone right across our club this season.”