CTPL: Curtain heroics save Knights in semi final epic

Zac Curtain’s stubborn and defiant half ton saved Kingborough from shock defeat in a dramatic CTPL semi on Sunday. See who made the two day decider here.

Cricket. CTPL semi final. Tim Ward University. University V Greater Northern Raiders. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He’s represented Australia at junior level, but Zac Curtain may have produced the most important knock of his young career after his defiant half ton helped Kingborough advance to an unlikely CTPL grand final berth.

The minor premiers (9-218) were never a danger of chasing down New Town’s 9-286, but Curtain’s 55 not out off 235 balls, plus some help from the lower order, ensured the Bucks missed out on producing the upset by a single wicket.

Curtain is regarded as one of the young crickets in the country, and represented Australia in a multi-format tour of India late last year.

While Curtain was the mainstay at Kingston Oval on day two of the semi on Sunday, no.8 batter Tom Martyn played a huge role with 51, as did no.10 James Scott with a defiant 12 off 47 balls.

Cricket. CTPL semi final. Tim Ward University. University V Greater Northern Raiders. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Knights only squeezed into finals in fourth last year before winning the two-day flag. But they have been dominant minor premiers this summer and a loss on Sunday would have been a major boilover.

They now get the chance to retain the two-day title they clinched with victory over Clarence in last year’s decider.

Kingborough will take on University after Tim Ward’s huge knock and spin twins Paddy Dooley and Param Uppal guided them to a convincing 144-run win over Greater Northern Raiders at University Oval.

The Raiders were looking to advance to their maiden two-day decider after finishing the season third, but Ward’s 150 set them a daunting 304 to chase in quick time on Sunday.

Openers Tom Dwyer (45) and Oliver Knowles (32) got the visitors’ run chase off to promising start as they advanced to 0-57 off just nine overs at lunch.

But steady wickets taken by Dooley (4-34 off 24 overs) and Uppal (3-35) ensured they fell well short, with no other batters reaching 20.

The grand final is a three day clash beginning this Friday at Bellerive Oval.

TNL: Cripps grab fourth spot with important win

Cripps Waratah won the battle for TNL’s fourth spot with a vital 42-38 win over Devon at Hobart Sport and Netball Centre on Saturday night.

With both sides entering the contest with a 2-3 record, the hosts set up the victory with a 25-15 first half, before holding off a Devon fightback after the major break.

Matilda Franklin led the way for Waratah with 23 goals to ensure they squared their season ledger.

Cripps coach Aaron Pidgeon said the earlier start to the season means they’re still taking the time to work out combinations in their new-look squad.

“We’re still trying to integrate five new players into the team, and we still rolled out 11 players (on Saturday),” Pidgeon said.

“It’s probably as important as anything for us at the moment to get time into different players, and work out our combinations.

“We’re not playing our best netball just yet, but there’s not a massive amount between a lot of teams. Those games are pretty important when you’re in the middle of the pack to just give yourself breathing space.”

Pidgeon said the longer season this year will give them time to experiment with their best mix.

“The third round helps, and it particularly helps with the early start,” he said.

“The start of the season was exceptionally earlier than usual, and with the capacity to hire courts our pre season was four to six weeks shorter than it usually is in terms of court training.”

In other matches unbeaten Cavaliers had little trouble disposing of winless Karana 89-21, while defending champions Northern Hawks also accounted for bottom two outfit South East Suns 53-30.

Hutchins chases back-to-back national rowing titles

Hutchins school will defend their home lake and their national title when the best rowers around Australia take on the defending champions at the National Rowing Championship.

Winning the under-19s championship at Penrith in 2024, Hutchins continued their dominance in 2025, claiming The Head of the River title on March 15 and March 16.

Now three teams will compete at Lake Barrington on March 24 to March 30.

Hutchins School director of Rowing Paul Westbury said his rowers had worked hard to get to the championships but they are not finished yet.

“The school has a proud history with The Head of the River competition which we won and our two eight’s won the division two race,” Westbury said.

“Our under-16s who will be aspiring open rowers in a few years, they had a very good win as well.

Hutchins School Rowing First Eight celebrates the win of the 'Head of the River' race at Lake Barrington in front of fellow students which has earned them a spot in the 2025 National Championship. Picture: Hutchins School

“All three of those crews are now competing at the National Championships next week to further experience at a level that you normally wouldn’t find in Tasmania.

“We are defending champions in the under-19s eights, they won it last year and finalist in the schoolboy eights.”

Hutchins will have two open eights head to the National Championships taking place next week.

Mark Stott is the coach of the first eight and will lead the defending champions and look to make it back-to-back titles.

While Hamish Johnston will lead the second eight and Justin West will lead the under-16s.

“The second eights are all year 11 so they will come back next year and push for first eight,” Westbury said.

“They rode last winter at the local rowing club and then they have been training through since October 14.

“All of the first eight are year 12s except for Mark Healy who is year 11.”

FORMER AFLW GUN TO WEAR ‘THE MAP’

Tasmania Devils girls coach and former AFLW star Jess Wuetschner will don ‘The Map’ for the first time since retiring from elite football against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Wuetschner, who took up the Devils mentor role last year, headlines the inclusions as the women’s side looks to bounce back from last week’s 45-point defeat to Port Melbourne in Launceston.

Wuetschner has been named at half forward, with Jacinta Limbrick also returning to the midfield after recovering from a rib injury she picked up in Tasmania’s first-up win over Norwood.

Wuetscher, 32, was inducted into AFL Tasmania’s Hall of Fame this year and won an AFLW flag with Brisbane in 2021.

She also gained All Australian selection in 2018, and her experience and smarts around goal will be a huge boost to the Devils who struggled to make much impact up forward against Port Melbourne.

The men’s side to take on Frankston has been boosted by the return of Burnie ball magnet Bailey Boag and Glenorchy key defender Harrison Gunther.

North Melbourne won the VFLW premiership last season and their side boasts a handful of AFLW players, as well as Tasmanian Georgia Nicholas.

The men’s outfit is looking to bounce back from a heavy 68-point loss to Norwood in its only outing thus far.

The men’s clash begins at North Hobart Oval at 10.30am, followed by the women at 1.15pm.

TASMANIA MEN

B: Fletcher Bennett (North Launceston), Theo Ives (North Launceston), Will Clifford (Kingborough)

HB: Oscar Paprotny (Clarence), Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy), Harry Elmer (Devonport)

C: Fraser Turner (Clarence), Bailey Boag (Burnie), Mitchell Brouwer (Kingborough)

HF: Declen Chugg (North Launceston), Sam Siggins (Lauderdale), Ethan Jackson (Penguin)

F: Tom Reeves (North Hobart), Brandon Leary (North Launceston), Josh Green (Clarence)

FOL: Andrew Phillips (Lauderdale), Michael Stingel (North Launceston), Bradley Cox-Goodyer (North Launceston)

INT: Baxter Norton (Clarence), Fletcher Hooker (Lauderdale), Nathaniel Sulzberger (North Hobart), Max Roney (North Launceston), Kai Cameron (Devonport)

TASMANIA WOMEN

B: Georgia Hill (Launceston), Halle Whitehead (Clarence)

HB: Mackenzie Banks (North Hobart), Libby Haines (Penguin), Kelsie Hill (Launceston)

C: Olivia Smith (Wynyard), Brieanna Barwick (Glenorchy), Jacinta Limbrick (Clarence)

HF: Jessica Wuetschner (Lauderdale), Grace White (North Hobart), Angelica Clark (North Hobart)

F: Ava Read (Clarence), Lucy Thompson (Ulverstone)

FOL: Sophie Johnson (Wynyard), Sarah Skinner (Devonport), Perri King (Kingborough)

INT: Jemma Webster (Clarence), Emilie Saward (Penguin), Liana Freestone (South Launceston), Emily Mifsud (North Hobart), Molly Mitchell (Kingborough), Hailee Baldwin (Kingborough)

TASSIE GUN RETURNS FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT

Rising Tasmanian basketball star Reyne Smith will return from injury just in time for US college basketball’s biggest competition, the NCAA tournament.

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey has confirmed Smith will return to the Cardinals line-up for their tournament opener against Creighton on Friday morning AEDT.

Smith, who is averaging 13.4 points on 39.4 per cent shooting, including 38.4 per cent from deep, this season has been sidelined since early March with an ankle injury.

He has missed the last four games of Louisville’s season.

The Ulverstone product made the move to the Cardinals for the 2024-25 season, joining coach Kelsey in making the move from the Charleston Cougars where had played since 2021.

He’s gone onto break the school’s record for most three-pointers in a season.

“We’re excited. Medical staff has done an unbelievable job. He’s been working tirelessly on his rehab and his recovery, but he’s going to be ready to go,” Kelsey told reporters in America.

Smith has emerged as one of college basketball’s best shooters this season, averaging 9.2 attempts from deep a game.

“Obviously, Reyne’s elite,” Kelsey said earlier this month when the sharpshooter was injured.

“Reyne’s one of the best shooters in college basketball.

“One of the best shooters that I’ve ever coached, but we have a bunch of guys who can make shots.”

Reyne Smith. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

HOW OTHER TASMANIANS HAVE FARED

Lachlan Brewer, Sacramento State

The freshman guard out of Launceston started in 28 out of 31 games he played. He averaged 6ppg and was reliable from deep shooting 44.6 per cent.

Rubi Gray, Sacramento State

Gray, from Devonport, found plenty of consistent minutes off the bench for the Hornets during her freshman season. She played 13 minutes a game including 13 starts in 33 appearances. Previously has represented Australia at junior level.

Sharn Hayward, Stonehill

The senior guard out of Penguin has been in brilliant form all season, producing the best numbers of her college career. Hayward played and started 32 games averaging 16.3ppg on 41.5 per cent shooting along with 2.8 assists.

Charli Kay, Southern Utah

Kay played 25 games off the bench for the Thunderbirds after starting 15 of 30 last season. This was her sophomore season.

INDIGENOUS CRICKET SQUAD NAMED

A mixture of CTPL guns and Cricket Tasmania pathways players will represent Tasmania/Lutruwita at the National Indigenous Carnival in Mackay in early April.

The squad will be looking to build on a semi final appearance last year after winning three of five pool games.

The team will also share knowledge and leanings from other Indigenous people around the country.

The team will be coached by Cricket Tasmania Pathways coach Harry Allanby and will be supported by Guy Grey and Scott Pearce who will provide cultural and coaching support.

“This program continues to develop each year, and with record numbers attending our trials across the state, this highlights the depth of Indigenous players playing cricket in our community,” Cricket Tasmania’s general manager – community cricket Alex King said.

Glenorchy’s Brandon Kopper. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“This carnival is a great way for players to represent their culture and connect through cricket and with several players involved in our youth pathway programs, and the tournament will provide another great opportunity for our players to showcase their skills on the National stage,”

The carnival begins on April 2 and the finals on April 7 will be broadcast live on NITV and SBS On Demand.

Cricket Tasmania/Lutruwita squad: Brandon Kopper (Glenorchy), Ben Spinks (Greater Northern Raiders), Lachlan Nichols (Lindisfarne), Rhys French (Ulverstone), Jack Pearce (Ulverstone), Kane Lovell (Glenorchy), Toby Bellchambers (Devonport) Brayden Devries (Greater Northern Raiders), Toby Hutton (Ulverstone), Eli Sheean (Devonport), Russi Sturzaker (Burnie Hurricanes), Hayden Clark-Sullivan (Clarence), Lucas Kamaric (Glenorchy)