University piles on the runs for second straight match as Tigers recruit Tim Ward finally kick starts his season

Life in Tasmanian club cricket hadn’t gone according to plan for Tigers recruit Tim Ward after back-to-back ducks, but he more than made up for lost time against ladder leaders North Hobart.

• Ladder leaders aware of tough test against University
• Alex Doolan denies Greater Northern first CTPL victory

TIGERS recruit Tim Ward hasn’t enjoyed much luck since relocating from NSW but finally showed the rest of the CTPL exactly why he was courted south in the off season.

A run machine in Sydney grade cricket, Ward inked his first professional contract with Tasmania and impressed during the pre-season to earn a spot in the initial Sheffield Shield squad.

He was released early from the Adelaide hub to join University but failed to trouble the scorers in his first two matches in rounds four and five.

However, once underway against North Hobart, he made sure he cashed in as the Lions piled on the runs for a second straight contest.

Tim Ward on his way to an unbeaten century against North Hobart. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Ward chalked up a brilliant unbeaten 162, and alongside Noah van de Werken (102) lifted Uni to 4-372 declared at the TCA.

The duo shared a 205-run stand — the second highest ever for the club for the third wicket — while it was also just the eighth double century partnership in Lions history and the first in 19 years.

Ward struck 16 boundaries and a six from 248 balls, while van de Werken found the rope on 15 occasions as the pair thrived against the ladder leaders.

James Faulkner (75 not out from 68 balls) added the icing late in the day before the declaration came in the shadows of stumps.

North openers Brad Smith and Jack White survived three testing overs.

Tim Ward raises the bat after reaching his century. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

South Hobart-Sandy Bay had a solid day with the willow against Kingborough, reaching 9-323 at Queenborough.

Half centuries to Tim Cannon (77), Caleb Oakes (78) and Tom Willoughby (77) provided the backbone of the total, while Tom Martyn (6-67) provided the excitement late in the final session when he narrowly missed a hat-trick.

Martyn removed Kayden Hine and Michael Flanagan in consecutive balls and while Will Christian kept out the hat-trick delivery, he perished for a second-ball duck.

It was agony for Tawanda Mupariwa at New Town, with the former Zimbabwean international falling just short of a maiden CTPL ton against Lindisfarne.

Mupariwa was a boundary away from reaching his century before falling to Anthony Marr on 96 as the Bucks compiled 9-298.

Mitch Owen earlier was in sparkling touch with 65 from 67 balls only to be undone when his own big score was beckoning.

At UTAS Stadium, Clarence found the going tough, grinding its way to 6-167 at stumps with opener Justin Galeotti batting the entire day to finish unbeaten on 73.

The Roos hit just 10 boundaries in the 96 overs they faced.

Action will resume on Sunday morning.

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