Silky smooth opener’s return

STATE opener Jordan Silk has returned to the field in style to help North Hobart canter to victory against University as the jostling for CTPL finals positions ramps up.

Playing his first match since breaking his collarbone while fielding for the Sixers in the BBL just over five weeks ago, Silk (49 not out from 55 balls) combined with Caleb Jewell (61 not out from 66) to steer the Demons past their 115-run target without loss in just 19.5 overs.

It was a promising return for the right-hander who was initially facing a two-month stint on the sidelines but is now firmly in the frame for a Sheffield Shield recall in two weeks.

After rain washed out Saturday’s action, the penultimate round reverted to 50-over clashes with the Demons running through the Lions’ outfit. Corey Murfet (4-16) was the pick of the bowlers while Hurricanes spinner Cameron Boyce was also effective with 1-24 from 9.3 overs.

The home side started solidly enough with the bat through Jack Laraman (38) and James Faulkner (26), but when Faulkner was bowled by Robb MacMillan it triggered a collapse of 9-38 as the middle order folded.

The loss proved hugely costly for the Lions who started the round in second spot but slid outside the top four with both South Hobart-Sandy Bay and Lindisfarne picking up crucial victories.

Lindisfarne thumped Kingborough at Anzac Park to not only move into fourth but also end the Knights’ finals hopes.

Half-centuries from Matt Dance (63) and Charlie Wakim (72) were the backbone of the Lightning’s 7-256, a total the visitors were never going to reach when they slumped to 4-33 in the eighth over.

Brady Jones showed some fight with 68 but he was unable to get any meaningful assistance and was last man out as the visitors were dismissed for 158.

Wet conditions at KGV saw Glenorchy’s match against the Sharks reduced to a 17-over affair with the Twenty20 champions proving too strong.

The Pies scraped together 7-96 thanks largely to Matthew Dilger’s 45 and despite the loss of coach Matt Clark for a duck and skipper Sean Willis for three, South-Sandy hauled in the target with nine balls to spare with Ben Dunk (44) and Harry Nichols (43) unbeaten.

Clarence sewed up the minor premiership by holding on for a 14-run victory against New Town.