Longford have pulled of a major upset, trouncing Launceston by 44 runs at home to be crowned Northern T20 champions.
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The TCL heavyweights, who have won the past five T20 titles within the league, compiled a respectable score of 6-154 off the back of two contrasting half-centuries, a 21-ball Dilan Sandagirigoda cameo for 51* and a patient Jake Williams 50 off 48 balls.
The batting handiwork was quickly backed up by opening bowler Max Magann, who collected four of the Lions' top five, including the wicket of Greater Northern Raiders keeper Sam Elliston-Buckley with the very first ball.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Magann would take 4-16 off his four overs while Sandagirigoda backed up his masterful batting performance with a handy 3-18.
Captain Jackson Blair, who was dismissed early in the match for six, was thrilled with his team's effort in reversing the result of last year's final.
"Jake Williams and Yeshan [Wickramarachchi] batted really awesome the first 12-14 overs they were out there, only hitting two boundaries and then to end up with the score we did was really impressive," he said.
"Obviously Dilan came out and the way he batted really showing his class, banging 50 off 21 balls. Those three definitely showed their class with the bat against a quality side.
"With the ball, it all fell into place. Max opened the bowling with Yeshan, did exactly what we wanted and executed to the plan and all bowlers bowled where we wanted to and it went our way."
The Tigers will now face Devonport, who Blair will use Williams' knowledge on, in the statewide semi-final on Sunday at Bellerive before a potential grand final against New Norfolk or North Huon later in the day.
Longford: 6-154 D. Sandagirigoda 51 (21), J.Williams 50 (48). C.Townend 2-4, B. Humphrey 1-25
Launceston: 9-110 B. Humphrey 23 (25), R. Tulich 18 (19). M. Magann 4-16, D. Sandagirigoda 3-18
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