CTPL roster season comes to an exciting climax as teams chase last two spots for semi-finals
Clarence and South Hobart-Sandy Bay both may need to manufacture an outright victory to qualify for the CTPL finals in a grandstand finish to the roster season at Kangaroo Bay.
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SOUTH Hobart-Sandy Bay will be bolstered by the return of a state quick for the last day of CTPL home and away action as the side makes its last ditch finals attempt.
The Sharks’ clash with Clarence at Kangaroo Bay is delicately poised, with the Roos resuming on 5-116 and needing a further 35 runs to overhaul their 150-run target.
Even first innings points may not be enough for either side to leapfrog Glenorchy _ who are in a strong position against minor premiers North Hobart _ into the top four, setting up what should be an entertaining day.
Helping the visitor’s cause will be the inclusion of Gabe Bell from Sheffield Shield duties, while all-rounder Tom Andrews, who took another three wicket Marsh Cup haul against South Australia yesterday, could also still feature.
“Gabe Bell will come in, which helps trying to get the five wickets we need,” Sharks skipper Sean Willis said.
“We are still up in the air [with Andrews], there is still a chance he might be flying back in the morning.
“The game is probably slightly on Clarence’s terms but in that first half-hour, if we can get a couple of wickets early, the game can swing back into our favour.
“Once we get an understanding of that then both of us and Clarence are going to have to keep an eye on the Glenorchy scorecard too.
“There is a lot of different things that could happen.”
South-Sandy seized some momentum at stumps last week when Hamish Kingston had Caiden Workman (35) caught down the leg side on the last ball of the day.
Veteran Wade Irvine will join Tom Vaughan at the crease to resume day two.
Glenorchy, which started the final round one point clear of the Sharks and two ahead of Clarence in fourth spot on the table, needs another 150 runs with all 10 wickets in hands against the Demons at KGV.
Ryan Graham-Daft and skipper Nathan Matthews are both 41 not out, setting the perfect foundation for the run chase.
Despite already securing first innings points against University, Lindisfarne could still miss the finals if Glenorchy reaches its target and there is an outright result in the Sharks-Roos clash.
The two-time defending premiers are 7-133 at Uni Oval, holding a 15-run lead.
In the remaining match at New Town, Kingborough (1-18) is facing a mammoth task with the bat having coughed up 6-453 last Saturday to the Bucks.
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