Tasmania hoping to end a disappointing WNCL campaign with a victory against ACT

Smarting from a heartbreaking defeat to NSW on Tuesday, the Tigers women have one final chance to finish their WNCL season on a high in Canberra

Tasmanian Tigers captain Brooke Hepburn. Picture: Zak Simmonds

TASMANIA’S female cricketers are determined to brush off Tuesday’s WNCL heartbreaker against NSW and finish their season in style in Canberra today.

The squad yesterday had plenty of time to ponder what could have been against the Breakers as they made the drive from Sydney to the ACT, following a debrief of the last-ball loss.

It was as close as the state has come to toppling NSW since entering the competition in 2009-10 and while the players were deflated, captain Brooke Hepburn is confident they can bounce back to end their summer in style.

MORE: TIGERS HOPING TO BREAK NSW

“It has been disappointing from that aspect this season, we have had a few close losses now, the round against Victoria and [Tuesday],” Hepburn said. “We were in a winning position, we started really well with the ball in the second innings and applied pressure and then they had a really good partnership that got them over the line.

“But we still have one more game to go and it is really important we play our best cricket and finish up on a good note.

“From a morale point of view there is obviously disappointment there, for us it is making sure we get the process right. We had our review, looked at the moments in the game we could have controlled a bit better to get the win and hopefully we can take them into this match.”

Hepburn conceded spending so long travelling by road instead of flying was far from ideal, but declared there will be no excuses when play starts against the Meteors.

“We will have things in place from a recovery point of view once we get there as obviously sitting cramped in a bus for 3½ hours isn’t the best prep, but we have physios and I guess we’ll jump in the pool and go for a walk.

“We will be right to go.”

TASMANIA’S batsmen have again failed to impress in the second XI clash against NSW metro at the Twin Ovals.

After being bowled out for 233 on the opening day — where only Alex Doolan (51) and Clive Rose (54 not out) shone — the Tigers were skittled for 189 in their second innings, with only Jake Doran (57) showing any resistance.

Chasing 204 to win, the vis­itors reached 3-166 at stumps with one day remaining, with Kurtis Patterson unbeaten on 66.