Early season CTPL pacesetters North Hobart face a “tough test” against confident University

North Hobart has banked back to back two-day victories to skip clear atop the CTPL ladder but faces its toughest test of the season against a University side coming off its own impressive win

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THE opportunity to open up a buffer at the top of the CTPL ladder prior to a Twenty20 bonanza is not lost on North Hobart coach Robb MacMillan.

The Demons head into the round six Saturday-Sunday clash against University sitting eight points clear courtesy of an outright result against South Hobart-Sandy Bay and last round’s victory against Clarence.

This weekend will be the last red ball action before Christmas, with six T20 rounds to unfold across two weekends followed by back to back one day games.

With the unpredictable nature of the shortest format — coupled with the likely unavailability of the state’s T20 stars prior to the Big Bash — Macmillan is imploring his side to not take its foot off the gas at the TCA.

North Hobart star Caleb Jewell has been in sparkling touch for the Demons. Picture Chris Kidd

“The boys are going well, we are enjoying the season and we are feeling nice and confident and everyone is in a good position,” he said.

“Looking at the teams and everything across the comp this year, there is a fair stack of teams that are going to be there abouts.

“For us to take potentially an eight, 10 point lead going into a white ball block where you know anything can happen in Twenty20 cricket, it is going to be super important for us.

“We see Uni as one of the stronger teams this year, they have picked up a couple of good recruits so they will be a good, tough test for us.

“We see this as one of the most important games we will play this year in terms of a decent quality opposition.”

University bowler Bailey Kenzie in action during the CTPL match between Glenorchy and University last week. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Central to North’s form surge has been Caleb Jewell, who has chalked up back to back centuries — both under difficult circumstances with the side in early trouble.

A bowling group led by Alex Pyecroft, Iain Carlisle and Ben Fraser also earned praise from Macmillan, and the trio will again need to be at their best against a Lions outfit which piled on 6-417 last round.

“Caleb has been absolutely outstanding with the bat, we couldn’t have asked for too much more from him,” Macmillan said.

“He is doing everything he can to go to that next step.

“And our bowling group has been awesome.”

The remaining round six matches see New Town host Lindisfarne, South-Sandy welcomes Kingborough to Queenborough while Clarence heads up the highway to face Greater Northern.

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