Clarence’s desperate to avoid repeat in pursuit of two-day top spot

A third consecutive CTPL minor premiership is within reach of Clarence but the Roos will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice.

A whirlwind innings from Nathan Wegman denied Clarence a place in the Kookaburra Cup final. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A THIRD consecutive CTPL minor premiership is within reach, but the Roos will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice in the final round of action before finals.

Clarence heads into the last round of roster action five points adrift of current ladder leaders Lindisfarne, knowing an outright victory against cellar dwellers New Town could see them leap into top spot.

While on paper the assignment at Kangaroo Bay looks straight forward against a side which hasn’t tasted success all season, coach Dan Salpietro only need cast his mind back to the last round of the Kookaburra Cup to know nothing can be taken for granted.

The Roos held pole position to reach the 50-over final heading into a contest with the Bucks, but were held up long enough to be denied any bonus points.

Alex Treanor is a key member of Clarence attack. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Lindisfarne meanwhile secured a double bonus point win to snatch the Kookaburra Cup spot in the final from its Eastern Shore rivals.

“No doubt they will come out and try and play some hard, competitive cricket. If you look at the one dayer we played against them, there were a couple of big scores,” Salpietro said.

“We definitely won’t be taking it lightly and if there is ever a game to get up for when you’ve had a tough year it is the last one to end your season on a high.

“For us going into finals, we have so many players with a point to prove I feel.

“There is a lot riding on it, last time … effectively it cost us a spot in the final, we all know that.

“It is always something you strive for, top of the table at the end of the season and minor premiers.

“It is something we would like to do and we will set out to try and achieve that but we probably haven’t looked too far into it.”

While the Roos are gunning for first, if Lindisfarne can defeat fourth-placed North Hobart even an outright result against New Town will not be enough.

South Hobart-Sandy Bay will be banking on a New Town upset to keep its chances of finishing in the top two alive, with the Sharks needing to defeat Kingborough at the Twin Ovals.

South-Sandy sits six points behind Clarence.

University and Glenorchy contest the final match of the round, with both sides playing for pride with finals out of contention.