RIVERSIDE has cast aside a controversial run into the cup final to be crowned statewide T20 champions.
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The comfortable 48-run victory over Wellington at the TCA Ground on Sunday may not have eventuated had Cricket Tasmania reversed an appeal over Riverside’s semi-final result.
Opponent Ulverstone had argued against an umpire’s decision two weeks earlier to penalise the North-West club six runs for not bowling their overs in the allotted time that proved costly in the final-over clash.
But Riverside had suffered a similar fate earlier and were docked 12 runs for a slower over rate.
The visitors to Hobart steamrolled Wellington inside 17 overs to plunder the Southern club for just 62.
Blues skipper Alex Saunders proved near unplayable, the opening quick claiming 2-5 in just four overs.
For Saunders, it was all but a man-of-the-match performance that earlier included 19 off 17 with the bat.
Riverside’s Alex Kerrison snared 3-19 off his four to help clean up the Wellington tail. Ramesh Sundra earlier had finished with 2-4 off two overs.
Wellington had collapsed to 3-10 and were gone at 5-28 chasing a modest 111 to win.
The Blues put on a quick 37 for the opening stand off the back of James Scott’s cameo of 14 from eight balls.
Opening partner Thomas Garwood hit 22 off 24 that included four boundaries.
Patrick Mackrell (23 off 33) joined Sundra (17 off 25) to steady before Saunders played a finishing role to set up the title win.