TCA Season Team by Team Review 1995/96
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University
The unluckiest team in the competition, University led the TCA
competition all summer, but fell down at the sudden death semi-
final when State commitments deprived the club of its best three
players, opening batsmen Jamie Cox and Dene Hills, and strike
bowler Josh Marquet. Apart from that disastrous conclusion, the
season was a triumph for allrounder Brad Thomas, a second-time
winner of the prestigous TCA Medal. Sam Roberts and Nathan Thomas
also did well with both bat and ball, while Tony Daly and Graeme
Blundstone lent specialist batting support. Highlights of the
season included an emphatic win in the Kookaburra Cup, the
statewide one-day competition, Jamie Cox`s record 215 not out
against Glenorchy, and Blundstone`s defiant 120 in the finals
loss to North Hobart.
Clarence
The remarkably-consistent Clarence club made yet another grand-
final appearance against its old foe, North Hobart. This
time, however, the tables were turned on the 1994-95 result,
and Clarence had to be satisfied with the runners-up position.
The strongest batting line-up in the competition was led by
veteran Roger Woolley, in his last season, and Andrew
Dykes. Stuart Oliver and Ben Meredith, who will surely play
Shield cricket one day, led an attack that few sides managed to
eclipse.
Kingborough
Under new coach Peter di Venuto, Kingborough managed third place
in the home-and away games before losing to Clarence in its
semi-final. Allister de Winter dominated the batting in his last
season before an early retirement, and he was ably assisted by
the improving Stuart Clark and state spinner Mark Hatton. The
latter also bowled well, obtaining his 30 wickets at a
commendably low average; it was unfortunate he could not repoduce
the same form in State games. Young quick Gerard Denton was
another on the fringe of State selection, and his performances
for Kingborough will ensure that he will be a strong contender
for Shield selection again this season.
North Hobart
Just sneaking into the four in the very last round, North Hobart
stunned everyone by going all the way to win the TCA flag in
style. Losing key players from 1994-95 proved difficult to
surmount, and a mediocre season for the traditionally strong club
looked in the offing until the last fortnight of the summer.
Myles Harry was a shining light in an otherwise patchy batting
line-up, although Todd Pinnington and Mark Davis could be
satisfied with their efforts. Sydney-sider John Saint was the
most successful with the ball, and he was generally supported
well by Erin Bernhardt, Chris O`Neill and Tony Judd.
South Hobart- Sandy Bay
Always a finals contender, South Hobart - Sandy Bay disappointed
its supporters with an end-of-season fade out that cost it a
place in the finals. Richard Allanby showed welcome maturity with
the bat, and he received solid support from Nick Courtney, but
few others responded when needed. Ian Connell was a welcome
recruit from Lindisfarne, and he was easily the club`s best
bowler, although David Townley, better known for his batting in
previous years, did better with the ball on this occasion. The
decline of John Humphreys owing to injury has been a cause of
much regret.
Lindisfarne
An elevation from the bottom of the table, albeit to sixth place
only, was cause for much celebration for the newest of the TCA
clubs, and owed much to two effective bowlers who showed that
that they can also hit the ball well. Colin Miller and Andrew
Saballus ended the season as the two best-performed batsmen and
the two leading wicket-takers for the club, while those around
them pitched in on occasion to lend a helping hand.
Glenorchy
The proud northern suburbs team would not be happy with its
position in 1995-96, for it is not often found in the nether
regions of the TCA ladder. Roger Hughes enjoyed another
outstanding season, and must wonder what he needs to do to gain
State selection. Stuart Cobern and Brendon Wilson proved reliable
batsmen once again, but despite the efforts of Ben Beams and
Matthew Boxhall, Hughes did not receive sufficient assistance
with the ball.
New Town
Runs were too few and wickets too expensive for the members of
the New Town Club, with the consequence that the team finished a
disapponting last in the TCA competition. Mark Atkinson was again
effective with the bat, but when absent on State duty, no-one
else contributed the replacement runs when required. Richard
Pears, a quality performer over many years, again did his best
with the ball, but he, like Atkinson, received inadequate
support.