University and Glenorchy to clash at KGV in battle of two emerging CTPL clubs

Two clubs who have been on a similar rebuilding journey will lock horns at KGV, with University coach Ben Harrison wary of a Glenorchy side which has bolstered its depth

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STILL searching for its first victory of the CTPL season, University heads to KGV in round five to clash against a side Lions coach Ben Harrison believes is treading a similar path to his.

Uni narrowly missed securing victory against Kingborough last week, finishing on 9-299 in pursuit of a 302-run target in a thrilling finish.

Victorian recruit Sam Harbinson (63 off 59 balls) nearly dragged the Lions across the line, clubbing a six and a boundary from the first two deliveries of the last over to whittle down the equation from 14 runs required to four from four balls.

Victorian recruit Sam Harbinson nearly dragged University across the line against Kingborough last week. Picture: Andy Brownbill

But he was dismissed the following ball, and Sam Leon was unable to eek out the remaining runs.

“I think it was just one of those really outstanding finishes and showed how good that level is right at the moment with those sort of players involved,” Harrison said.

“The other thing it probably really paid tribute to was how good our wicket is, it is something a lot of people have had some questions over, but 600 runs scored was fantastic.

“Maybe it was one of those games that no one deserved to lose.”

With washouts in the first two rounds and a bye in round three, Uni sits on three points, 10 adrift of Glenorchy which has picked up victories against Kingborough and New Town.

Harrison is wary of a Pies outfight which was added some much needed depth this season.

“I said to the players at selection, we feel they have been on a similar journey to us, through a rebuild, and they have got some key assets in their list now.

“We saw at the end of last year, [Charlie] Eastoe is a really good strong young talent, he got a hundred against us in the last game.

Matthew Fotia picked up six wickets for Glenorchy in the Pies round four win against New Town. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“He’s really led the way for them, [Jake] Williams has shown some talent over the last few years, that gives them strike power.

“Nick Davis reminds me of a young Mark Divin in the way he goes about his cricket. They have some real talent and then you don’t forget [Nathan] Matthews, he is a class player at this level.

“They are a bit more solid in their list now and you have to respect that.”

In other two-day fixtures starting today North Hobart hosts Clarence, Kingborough and Lindisfarne clash at the Twin Ovals while South Hobart-Sandy Bay, in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the ladder, heads north to meet Greater Northern.

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