Brayden Stepien and Evan Gulbis combine for record breaking CTPL partnership on brightest day in Raiders’ short history

Dynamic duo Brayden Stepien and Evan Gulbis have broken a 125-year-old CTPL record with a remarkable union on a day that featured a century in each round five match. READ THE WRAP>>

• University chasing first win of CTPL season
• Lindisfarne quick produces brilliant solo effort

CARLTON duo Brayden Stepien and Evan Gulbis will return to Melbourne when the Victorian Premier League resumes having broken a 125-year-old CTPL record after a remarkable opening day at the NTCA.

On the Greater Northern Raiders’ grandest day since joining the competition, Stepien and Gulbis — who represented the two Melbourne BBL franchises last summer — channelled their T20 modes on a hapless South Hobart-Sandy Bay.

The duo combined for the highest third-wicket partnership (386) in CTPL history, eclipsing the old mark of 357 set back in 1895 between Wellington’s Louden MacLeod and Kenneth Burn.

Brayden Stepien in full flight for Carlton during a Vic Super Slam match. Picture: ARJ GIESE.

It was the fourth-highest stand ever in the CTPL, with Stepien (223) and Gulbis (226 not out) showing no mercy on the Sharks as the hosts piled on 4-504 declared in just 74 overs.

The union started half an hour into the day after the loss of two early wickets, but quickly the Raiders took control on the back of some scintillating stroke play.

Stepien clubbed 21 boundaries and nine sixes in his knock, which came from only 158 balls. Gulbis found the rope on 24 occasions and cleared it five times in his unconquered masterpiece, facing 199 deliveries.

The Raiders total was the first time a side had scored 500 or more in an innings in a roster match since 2004, when Lindisfarne piled on 7-542 declared courtesy of Shane Watson’s 300 not out.

South-Sandy reached 1-41 in reply.

Elsewhere in round five action, Caleb Jewell notched back-to-back centuries as North Hobart grabbed the ascendancy against Clarence.

North Hobart’s Caleb Jewell bats during the game against Clarence at the TCA Oval. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The Demons were reeling at 6-93 in the first over after lunch when Lawrence Neil-Smith (6-96) removed Alex Pyecroft and Elliot Batchelor in consecutive deliveries.

But Jewell, who scored a ton against the Sharks last Saturday, dug in again and received some lower order assistance to lift the hosts to 318 at the TCA.

Jewell finished with 110 (144 balls, 13 boundaries and a six), with Blake Waight scoring an impressive 71 in his first innings at first grade level and Robb Macmillan unbeaten on 56.

Clarence lost Zac Elliott before stumps to finish 1-34.

Clarence’s Alex Treanor bowls during the game against North Hobart at the TCA Oval. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

James Faulkner also chalked up a ton as University dominated Glenorchy at KGV.

While Zac Phair (73) and Nuwan Kavinda (68) failed to convert half centuries into three figures, Hurricanes all-rounder Faulkner had no such trouble as the Lions reached 6-417.

Faulkner exploded late on route to his 142 from 133 balls, which contained 13 boundaries and five sixes.

There was also a centurion at the Twin Ovals — albeit an unlikely one — as Kingborough recovered from an early hole against Lindisfarne.

Number eight Tom Martyn (103 not out) registered his first century for the club as the Knights were bowled out for 295.

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