Outright victory enough for Clarence to lock up CTPL top four spot, Glenorchy’s win in vain

A successful run chase against the minor premiers has come in vain for Glenorchy, who have missed a CTPL finals spot after Clarence picked up an outright victory.

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CLARENCE has stormed into the CTPL finals and relegated arch rivals Glenorchy to fifth in the process — despite the Pies toppling minor premier North Hobart in the last round of the season.

The Roos completed a 10-wicket outright victory against South Hobart-Sandy Bay to leapfrog into third on the ladder, with Lindisfarne slipping to fourth and the Pies sliding out of the finals race.

Requiring a further 35 runs to obtain first innings points at Kangaroo Bay, the Roos set the tone early with Tom Vaughan (43) and Wade Irvine (73 not out) scoring at a brisk rate to overhaul their 150-run target in the first half-hour.

South Hobart-Sandy Bay’s Tom Willoughby chases quick runs against Clarence in their CTPL clash at Kangaroo Bay. Picture: Eddie Safarik

The duo added 73-runs and by the time Lawrence Neil-Smith had pitched in 32, the hosts had scooted to 8-271 by lunch and were able to declare with a 121-run lead.

Needing an outright win themselves to feature in the semi-finals, the Sharks had no option but to put the foot to the floor to first erase the deficit but also give themselves the chance of a miracle.

Matt Clark (46 from 45 balls), Sean Willis (42 off 33) and Harry Nichols (39 from 31) provided brisk cameos but it wasn’t enough, with Sam Rainbird’s 6-82 restricting the visitors to 186.

Roo openers Justin Galeotti and Zak Elliott peeled off the 66-run target, setting up a showdown with University next weekend.

“It’s been a funny week, there’s been a bit of rain about and that many theories floating around,” Clarence coach Harry Allanby said.

“Coming in they needed the same result as well so both teams were going to push for a result and it was about getting those first 35 runs and controlling the game, which we did.”

South Hobart-Sandy Bay’s Rowan Shelton is bowled by Clarence's Alex Treanor. Picture: Eddie Safarik

Glenorchy’s successful run chase against North proved ultimately fruitless, with the hosts blowing a 106-run opening stand to lose 6-24 chasing 236.

However Umair Butt (39) and Navrojdeep Virk (64 not out) added 92 for the seventh wicket to see the Pies to 7-238 and first innings points, although it ultimately mattered little.

Lindisfarne will head into its semi in winning form after defeating University, while Kingborough suffered a 152-run defeat at the hands of New Town to end its 2020-21 campaign.

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