Greater Northern Raiders coach Darren Simmonds was preaching the value of partnerships after his side began their 50-over campaign with a 61-run win over New Town at UTAS Stadium.
"We talk about how vital partnerships are and we saw that today," Simmonds said.
"We got off to a good start with our openers, then lost four quick wickets and went from a good position to being under real pressure. But the partnership between Meg (Radford) and Caitlyn (Webster) was crucial after a little collapse, resurrected our innings and set us up to win."
Radford was the standout contributor in Raiders' total of 231.
Coming in at four, the South Launceston all-rounder hit her highest score of the season, 69, off 108 deliveries, featuring just four boundaries.
However, she had plenty of support in a scorecard featuring several healthy partnerships including a 68-run opening-wicket stand between Sasha Moloney (37) and Emma Manix-Geeves (25).
A wobble of 4-15 was soon forgotten as the lower order allowed Radford to steady the ship.
Webster, Kate Sherriff, Sophie Parkin and Alice McLauchlan absorbed nearly 100 deliveries between them before the team was dismissed in the final over.
Laura Scott (4-29), Emily Mifsud (3-31) and Bonnie Davies (2-32) were the pick of the visitors' bowlers.
Another strong opening partnership between Hurricanes captain Rachel Priest (36) and Amy Smith (28) had New Town in the contest before McLauchlan sent them both packing - bowling the former and catching the latter - as the visitors went from 0-70 to 2-70.
Mifsud kept up the charge at first drop but when she was stumped by Manix-Geeves for 51, the chase fell away, Matilda Waddington's 10 the only other double-figure contribution.
The last six wickets added just 26 as McLauchlan (3-14) finished what she'd started by bowling Jordi Smith for a duck to complete the rout with a couple of overs to spare.
Webster also took a tidy 3-11 off four.
"They started pretty well but we hung in there," Simmonds added.
"The bowling partnership between Alice and Kate got us into the game and we were always in front from there.
"Credit to all our bowlers who worked as a team and all chipped in.
"I'm really pleased how we went about it and good to win our first 50-over game."
The competition now takes a month-long break for Christmas, Raiders resuming on January 9 with a one-dayer against North Hobart at the TCA Ground.
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.
