FOR the first time, the Eastern Shore’s two top cricket teams battled it out for top honours in the BETASPORT Cricket Tasmania Premier League premiership, with Lindisfarne overcoming Clarence in a thrilling grand final in March.
Cricket's first-grade champions Lindisfarne
The victory was Lindisfarne’s second since entering the competition in 1992-93, first winning the title in 2000-01. The win was even more impressive with Lindisfarne becoming the first team in the history of the competition to win outright after being behind after the first innings.
Lindisfarne won the toss in the three-day match and elected to bowl. After Lightning captain Brendan Drew claimed the early wicket of Wade Irvine, Clarence worked into a reasonable position at 2/100 thanks to opener Jonathan Wells scoring 43 and captain-coach Michael Dighton 35. However, Lindisfarne hit back strongly during the second session and the Roos lost 8/66 to be all out 166. Drew did most damage taking 4/40 from 21.3 overs, with Andrew Downton and Jeremy Smith providing good support with two wickets apiece.
Lindisfarne struggled in reply with an inspired spell from Clarence quick Jason Wright leaving the Lightning at 5/64 at stumps on day one. Downton and Smith put together a 37 run seventh wicket partnership early on day two to give the Lindisfarne a chance of at least nearing first innings honours, but Wright and Wells ended any hopes claiming the last four wickets for 11 runs. Steve Cazzulino top scored with 26, whilst Smith made 22 and Downton 20 not out. Wright finished with the impressive figures of 5/39 from 18.3 overs, and Wells 3/17 from eight overs.
Clarence went into the second innings with an overall lead of 52 runs and began positively to be 1/46 before Wells was dismissed for 24 just prior to lunch on day two. The second session was a disaster for Clarence, with Downton dismissing Dighton, Michael Jones and Irvine to swing the game back into Lindisfarne’s favour. Wickets then continued to fall with regularity and the Roos were dismissed for just 105. Shannon Tubb provided the only resistance, being the last batsman out for 43. Downton’s 3/13 from seven overs was outstanding while Smith, Matthew Bax and Matthew Wilkie claimed two wickets apiece.
Chasing 158 to claim the premiership, Steve Cazzulino and Matthew Dance produced an impressive opening partnership of 51 before Cazzulino was dismissed for 30 to Clarence youngster Alex Treanor. Treanor then claimed a second scalp and Lindisfarne began to falter and shortly after the scoreboard showed 4/77. The biggest partnership of the match followed between Drew and Tom Trifftt. Triffit was dismissed just before stumps on day two for 30 with the score 5/139, and when stumps were called Lindisfarne was just 17 runs short of victory.
Day three opened with Drew and Downton at the crease. Downton moved his score to eight before Wells claimed his wicket, and then captured Smith next ball without scoring. Lindisfarne then required nine runs with three wickets in hand, but Scott Campbell and Drew ensured victory by three wickets, with Drew brining up the required runs with a boundary.
Drew, who finished 26 not out in the second innings was awarded the Roger Woolley Medal as the player of the match.
In an impressive achievement for the club, Lindisfarne featured in the grand finals in all grades. For the record, the Second Grade premiership went to Kingborough who saw off Lindisfarne in the final, Third Grade was won by Lindisfarne overcoming South-Hobart Sandy Bay, and Clarence took out the under 17 title defeating Lindisfarne.
