The Greater Northern Raiders have won their first ever silverware.
Alistair Taylor's under-18 side took out Cricket Tasmania Premier League's vacation title on Wednesday after a pulsating T20 grand final against Lindisfarne.
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Opting to bat first at Bellerive, Lindisfarne rocketed to 0-100 off nine overs with Tom and Joseph McGann both reaching 50 before the Raiders fought back to restrict the hosts to 6-167.
James Simpson and Spencer Hayes got the Raiders off to a quick start before Cooper Anthes and Brayden DeVries' unbeaten 115-run stand saw the visitors home with an over the spare.
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Taylor marked the win as the best of his side's unbeaten tournament.
"I'm very proud of how the boys came together - they're a really coachable bunch of boys and they totally deserved to win," Taylor said.
"We won a lot of games throughout the carnival quite comfortably so today was a pressure game, a grand final and the boys stood up beautifully so I'm just rapt for them. It was our biggest test today in a grand final and they stood up."
Finishing as the competition's leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps at 6.41, Anthes saved his best for last.
The Riverside all-rounder took 3-29 off four and hit the winning run to finish on 74 off 42 balls with two magnificent slog sweeps that cleared the fence.
"He was exceptional - someone really needed to get a big score for us to be a chance and it's probably the best a lot of us have seen Cooper bat," Taylor said.
"But he had people helping him - James and Spencer at the top of the order set the tone beautifully and Brayden DeVries as well - although he only got 39 off 40 his running between the wickets was elite so a lot of people contributed today.
"It looked like we were going to be chasing 200 so credit to Will Bennett especially, I thought he captained really well, brought the spinners on at the right time and got a couple of wickets."
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Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a Newcastle-based reporter with ACM's national property team. He has been working as a journalist with ACM for six years and has a passion for regional communities. A recent home buyer in Newcastle, he has a keen interest and practical experience in how first home buyers can enter the market. Got a story? Get in touch: hgeale@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Hamish Geale is a Newcastle-based reporter with ACM's national property team. He has been working as a journalist with ACM for six years and has a passion for regional communities. A recent home buyer in Newcastle, he has a keen interest and practical experience in how first home buyers can enter the market. Got a story? Get in touch: hgeale@austcommunitymedia.com.au
