North Hobart strikes first blow in CTPL season as Tom Rogers dismantles Greater Northern

Two big recruits headlined Greater Northern’s off-season CTPL acquisitions, but it did little to stop the Raiders been blown off the park by North Hobart in the opening round of the CTPL

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GREATER Northern received a swift reminder that a couple of big name recruits doesn’t automatically translate to positive results after being dismantled by North Hobart in the opening round of the CTPL.

The Demons landed the first blow of the season by picking up maximum points at Riverside following a 157-run rout of the Raiders while all games in the south were washed out.

Having secured Evan Gulbis and Brayden Stepien from Carlton — who both featured in last year’s Big Bash — the Raiders entered the 2020-21 campaign under coach Tim Coyle with optimism.

Tom Rogers was the chief destroyer for North Hobart in the CTPL season opener between North Hobart and Greater Northern. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

However they were given a shock reality check by the rampaging Demons.

North chalked up 9-199 from its 50 overs, with Tigers star Jordan Silk top scoring with a fluent 70 from 80 balls and sharing a 97-run stand for the opening wicket with Jack White (32).

But White’s dismissal saw the Raiders drag the momentum back to keep the visitors total in check.

That was as good as it got for the hosts, who were skittled for just 42 in 13 overs as Tom Rogers reminded everyone of his talents following an injury-riddled season with 6-21.

Alex Pyecroft was the only other bowler used, snaring 4-19.

Rain saw the remaining three contests end in draws, with Clive Rose’s unbeaten century at the Twin Ovals the highlight.

Rose’s knock (121 balls, nine boundaries and four sixes) saw Kingborough reach 7-194 from 46 overs against University.

Beau Webster pitched in 39 while Mitch Backhouse (22) was the only other Knight to reach double figures.

The Lions had raced to 0-36 from 4.5 overs when the rain set in and the match was abandoned, with recruit Jake Doran (24*, 18 balls) starting brightly.

Clive Rose scored a century for the Knights. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Alex Doolan managed to spend some valuable time at the crease before the Tigers head to their Sheffield Shield hub in Adelaide this week.

The state opener top scored for South Hobart-Sandy Bay with 69 from 76 balls (nine boundaries) in the Sharks’ 125 against reigning premier Lindisfarne at Anzac Park, with Nathan Ellis picking up where he left off last season with a wicket with the second ball of the match en route to finishing with 3-10.

The Lightning only faced one over before the weather closed in.

Clarence compiled 5-190 against Glenorchy at Kangaroo Bay, with Justin Galeotti’s 69 the feature.

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