NORTH Hobart might be gunning for a three-peat of women’s CTPL flags but captain Belinda Page admits she’s a bit nervous heading into today’s grand final against New Town.
In a repeat of last season’s decider, the Demons and Bucks will square off at the TCA this afternoon looking to continue their recent dominance of the competition.
North has featured in the past three deciders — winning the past two — and has not been beaten by New Town since the opening game of the 2013-14 season, a streak of six consecutive victories.
However, when the two sides faced each other just a fortnight ago only one run could separate them and another tight tussle is expected.
“I think it will be a tight contest, a little bit nervous but good confidence from last week’s [semi-final] win,” Page said.
“We managed to chase down 134, that gives us a lot of confidence.
“I guess so [there is a rivalry building against the Bucks], the last couple of years we have had some pretty close contests.”
The Demons will again lean heavily on their batting group, led by the WBBL leading wicker taker Veronica Pyke, who is averaging an astonishing 97.6 for the year thanks to 488 runs in 10 innings.
Angela Green (354 at 32.1) and Page (283 at 40.4) are also in the top seven run scorers, while Pyke, Page, Kirstin Palfrey and Jessica Wardle have taken 50 wickets between them.
New Town will be bolstered by the inclusions of Roar and Hurricanes batter Meg Phillips and Paris Crowe, who have recently moved interstate but will return for the final.
“Meg Phillips has moved to Adelaide but she is coming back to play and Paris Crowe moved away during the season but she is back again as well,” Bucks skipper Brooke Hepburn said.
“Having those two, they are both senior experienced players and that will really help lift us.
“We have come off second best both times we have played North Hobart this season but the last match was really close, we ended up losing by one run.”
Today’s final at the TCA Ground starts at 2.15pm.
