Clarence triumph in riveting final
IT had more twists than a bucket of rattlesnakes, but in the end it was Clarence victorious against North Hobart in an enthralling CTPL grand final
Just like it had since virtually ball one, the game swung widely at Blundstone Arena but finally the Roos scraped home to a two-wicket victory to win their first flag since 2011-12.
Playing-coach Dan Salpietro was the man for all occasions, taking out the Roger Woolley Medal for his second innings double act of 6-32 that initially turned the match and then a staunch 26 not out that guided his side home as it wobbled with the end in sight.
Chasing 162 for victory, the Roos often appeared well placed only to lose a wicket and when Cam Stevenson fell to indefatigable Demons skipper Alex Pyecroft, Clarence was still seven runs shy with only two wickets in hand.
But it was not to be for the brave Demons and the Roos were victorious after trailing by 20 runs on the first dig and having to sit through early morning heavy rain with the clock ticking.
After two losing semi-finals under his tenure, Salpietro was a relieved man post-match.
“We felt the pain so this is certainly one we weren’t going to let slide,” Salpietro said.
“We played a fantastic semi-final this year and that was the burden, the semi-final, so getting here we had ultrabelief.
“I won’t lie, we were beaten on the first innings and we thought that might have been it. Going into today we were more confident than we were after being beaten on first innings.”
It was the last session of day two that turned the game as North Hobart failed to capitalise on its 20-run lead, falling to 7-128 at stumps and then all out for 141 early on day three.
Pyecroft almost lifted his side to victory, taking 5-55 in the second dig to go with his first innings heroics of 6-42.
“It was a very weird session, we were flying at 1-60 off not many overs and then they went bang, bang very quickly,” Pyecroft said of late day two that turned the game.
He was justifiably proud of his team and his own performance, but also heartbreaking with the Demons now losing the past two deciders.
“I love this club, the efforts I put in is all for the team and lead from the front,” he said.