Jewell tons up, then Pyecroft fires in a thriller

NORTH Hobart has delivered a one-two combination punch, but Clarence is still in the fight after an intriguing opening day to the CTPL grand final.

An inspired spell from Alex Pyecroft rocked Clarence, but it is far from out for the count at 4-84 in reply to North Hobart’s 195.

The Roos won the toss and inserted the Demons at Blundstone Arena with the move appearing to pay dividends as North Hobart lost steady wickets. But reigning Emerson Rodwell medallist Caleb Jewell was the rock that held the innings together before exploding with the late order.

He patiently made his way to tea to be 69 off 188 balls with the Dees teetering at 7-141.

But he went from tortoise to hare upon resumption of play, smashing 31 off the next 13 balls to bring up his hundred, his third of the season.

Jewell said it was dead even but a couple of early wickets today would have the Demons well placed.

“I didn’t think blocking our way to 150 or 160 at best was the way to go, so I decided to play a few shots and get the total up to something defendable,” he said of his innings.

He finally fell to Cameron Stevenson for 107, the big quick taking 5-91 in 22 overs.

But the drama was far from over for the day. Pyecroft swung the game back to the Demons’ favour with a newball spell of 4-17 off nine overs to have the Roos in strife.

“It is pretty standard for him,” Jewell said. “He just put it on the spot and got the most out of the wicket.”