Shell-shocked Sharks still rate their chances

PUNCH drunk from last week’s Nathan Ellis barrage, South Hobart-Sandy Bay still believes it can land a knockout punch of its own.

The Sharks were rolled for just 61 on a Queenborough greentop last Saturday as Ellis took best ever CTPL firstgrade figures for Lindisfarne of 9-30. The Lightning start today at 6-93 — a 32-run lead and crucially with Mac Wright unbeaten on 54 still at the crease.

But Sharks coach Matt Clark said the game was far from over, especially with the pitch expected to offer plenty to the bowlers today as well.

“Obviously we were pretty disappointed with the performance we put up, but with still having a chance to create a result in our favour keeps us in the game — but very disappointed from a batting point of view,” Clark said.

“Ideally we want to take these last couple of wickets and see where we are at.”

To do so, the Sharks will have to do a much better job of combating Ellis in their second innings.

“I thought he was excellent, he just didn’t let up all day, he provided the perfect blueprint for us going into our bowling innings,” Clark said.

“We will certainly be wary of him. We’ll still have to concentrate on our plans from a batting perspective.

“We can’t control how well Nathan is going to bowl but if we bat to the standard we think we are capable of, I certainly think we are good enough to win the game.”

Rain affected all the games last week, with all clubs in the three other games forced to play catch-up today in a bid to get a result.

At KGV Oval, New Town resumes at 6-186 against Glenorchy, but the Bucks should have been better placed after Jordan Willoughby (84) and captain Hugh Williams (54) put on 89 for the first wicket.

Clarence at home at Kangaroo Bay is 3-110 in its clash with University, while Kingborough is 2-63 with captain Trent Keep 33 not out off 32 balls at Launceston’s NTCA Ground in the Knights’ match against the Greater Northern Raiders.