Greater Northern Raiders reached out to Sophie Parkin last season to return home, acutely aware she was more than just a slick pace bowler.
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Coming straight off a brief summer stint down south at University, the 19-year-old from Evandale had enough of a taste of the Cricket Tasmania Premier League to share with callow teammates.
But Parkin's work with the ball would have exceeded even the forecasts of nodding coaches Darren Simmonds and Robert Stewart.
"I got that opportunity to play in the Premier League last season just to get a first look," Parkin said.
"But I have really enjoyed coming back for the Raiders and give some of my advice and experience, and offer it out to some of the girls.
"It is a big step up for us, but I really enjoyed it seeing the state players play because it motivates me to see where I need to get to that level."
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Parkin's return was backed up by the numbers game.
The ex-Riverside skipper had claimed the state's best bowling average after taking 13 wickets at just 10.23.
The scalps were the equal second most by one behind Linsey Da Costa, of Sandy Bay-South Hobart, in three less games and 87 fewer balls.
The Raiders star also had one of the best strike rates of the competition, picking up a wicket every 16 deliveries.
The end result was a place in the league team of the year. But it was not Parkin's goal.
"I did want to have a good year, personally, but all I just wanted to do was really play well for the team and hopefully we did well," she said.
"We did make finals and unfortunately we didn't go all the way, but I think we can all be proud of our efforts."
Parkin felt forced to walk away from the Cricket North competition after the 2017-18 season without a thought the Raiders would introduce a women's side into the mix.
Less than 18 months later, Parkin could not hit the road quick enough to bowl with former teammates and rivals.
"I do think it was the right timing for me," she said.
"Obviously, I enjoyed the Cricket North competition, but I knew I needed to take that further step to challenge myself more.
"The support I got from the University club, especially through Katelyn Fryett, was just nice from them and they were really supportive of me coming back to the Raiders because it provided a pathway for us Northern girls."
The club earlier this week was handed the state's Spirit of Cricket award for the second straight year after just as many seasons in the league.
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