The Greater Northern Raiders' women's team continued where the men left off by recording a perfect start to their Cricket Tasmania Premier League season.
On a surprisingly balmy day at Windsor Park, Darren Simmonds' side recorded two comfortable Twenty20 victories over New Town.
"We've certainly started the season in the right fashion," Simmonds said.
"Across both games we've batted really well and got some partnerships going at important times and set totals that put us in a competitive position."
The two matches followed similar patterns, the Raiders setting competitive totals as they lost just four wickets with Ruth Johnston top scoring before New Town made a confident start to the chase, crumbled and stumbled to fall short by 37 and 39 runs.
In the morning match, Johnston managed 42 off 34 and the impressive feat of two sixes but no fours. Caitlyn Webster (25 not out) and Sasha Moloney (18) also chipped in for a total of 4-121 as Emily Mifsud took 2-24.
The reply went from a steady 1-36 to a wobbly 6-55. Bonnie Davies (27 not out) played a defiant lone role as the side limped to 9-84.
Moloney took a superb 3-6 off three overs and Charlotte Layton added 2-14 as the bottom seven batters mustered just four runs between them.
In the second match, Johnston clubbed 37 off 21 as the Raiders twice built 50-plus partnerships.
Moloney (34 off 31) and Meg Radford (21) provided able support as the hosts posted 4-143.
Queensland, NSW and BBL star Sammy-Jo Johnson loomed as the key to New Town's reply but when she went for 41 off 35 the side collapsed from 2-71 to 7-89.
Six bowlers took wickets, Alice McLauchlan the pick with 2-4 with Ava Curtis adding 2-9.
"Ruth played really well with the bat, as did Caitlyn, Sash and Meg," Simmonds added.
"The bowlers all chipped in. Sash bowled beautifully in the first game. Our three spinners in that match (plus Johnston and Layton) took 6-26 off eight overs so certainly did a good job for us.
"But one of the most pleasing things for me has been the standard of our fielding and catching in particular and that's had a big say in both results.
"We took our catches while they dropped Ruth three times. That was the big difference.
"There were two good catches in each game. In the second game, Sasha caught Sammy-Jo at extra cover and Mif went to Ruth at mid-on."
The Raiders will be hoping to continue their excellent start with another T20 double-header at Riverside against Clarence next Sunday.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
