After more than a month in the nets and playing practice matches, Riverside will return to competition on Saturday for its first two-day game of the season against Launceston.
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The Blues, who had the post-Christmas bye, have not played a match for points since December 16’s Greater Northern Cup fixture against Devonport.
However, Riverside skipper Tom Garwood is confident his charges are right to attack the second-half of the year head on – starting this weekend on NTCA No.1 Ground.
“It hasn’t worked out too bad as we’ve been able to work on a few things,” he said.
“Launceston were in great form before the break and it’s going to be a tough game but hopefully all of our practice with the red ball over the past five to six weeks puts us in good stead. A win in this match could set us up.”
Riverside has played one less match than its Cricket North rivals and sit six points behind the Lions in fourth position.
Garwood said Blues all-rounder Oliver Wood would return from both state under-19 duties and also quad injury.
“He will give us some batting depth and a good bowling option,” Garwood said.
Launceston is coming of a heavy 238-run first-innings defeat to South Launceston.
The Lions bowling attack struggled for penetration, while their batsmen could only muster 121 all out and 5-106 in the past fortnight.
WESTBURY host a top-of-the-table grand final rematch against South Launceston.
A Knights win would put them two games clear on top and captain Alex Smith, who scored 156 two weeks ago, said his players understand what is at stake.
“Hopefully we can carry on from our win over Launceston. Westbury have got some great match winners in Dane Anderson and Jono Chapman, so nullifying their impact is the key,” Smith said.
“With someone like Dane we just need to take away his boundary options.”
Charlie Eastoe will be unavailable for the reigning premiers, while Shamrocks captain Richard Howe said he would be forced to make some changes to his side that defeated Mowbray.
“We are still toiling with a couple of things from the one-day team to the two-day side of things trying to get things right, but we are looking forward to teh challenge,” Howe said.
“Twenties and 30s don’t win you games.
“You need 70s and hundreds from your batsmen to get that big score to make sure you’re in with a chance of winning.”
STANDING ORDER
1: South Launceston – 40.59
2: Westbury – 34.02
3: Launceston – 29.07
4: Riverside – 23.00
5: Mowbray – 22.35
Corey Martin
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
