Greater Northern Cup 2011-12

Unfortunately the Greater Northern Cup was over before it started for the defending champions, the  St. Lukes Health Launceston Lions. A change of format this season meant that there were only three rounds, against north-west teams Wynyard, Devonport and Burnie.

Travelling to Wynyard the lads got as far as Elizabeth Town before they got the message from Wynyard that there was no chance of play. In the second match of the double header the Lions got off to a great start with a century opening partnership between Fenton (60) and Kingston (47) before a late slump to be 7/160 odd in a rain shortened overs allotment. However, the rain set in again and the game was called off before the Lions could bowl a ball.

The match against Burnie at home was also washed out without a ball being bowled. That, as it later turned out, was our last chance to make the finals. With Riverside, Devonport and Mowbray all winning games and picking up points from washouts they were assured of a finals berth. Seven teams were even on points including the Lions with three washouts. However, Burnie having won a game and lost a game got through because they had won a game. So that was the GNC season that wasn’t.

The Greater Northern Cup

The Launceston Cricket Club has dominated the Greater Northern Cup since its re-introduction in2001/02. It has won the competition seven times and finished runners-up twice from the past ten attempts. The one-day competition features round matches with each of the NTCA teams coming up against their North-west rivals; Latrobe, Sheffield, Devonport, Ulverstone, Burnie and Wynyard. At the completion of round matches the top 4 teams play semi finals to determine the grand final contenders. After falling short in the first two attempts the Lions won the next six straight Greater Northern Cup titles between 2003-04 and 2008-09. The last premiership came in the 2010-11 season with victory over Wynyard.

Premierships: 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11

The original Greater Northern one day competition began in 1968/69 and had numerous sponsors.  It was called the Kookaburra Cup up until 1986 when the Southern (TCA) teams were invited to join.  Launceston played in the first final in 1969 against Yeoman and former Australian player Neil Hawke hit a six off the last ball to tie the game for Launceston, but the rules stated that the team losing the least wickets be awarded the cup and Yeoman lost two fewer wickets than Launceston!  During this time Launceston had a strong group and managed to win three in a row twice.

Premierships:  1974-75, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84

Total One Day Premierships: 16 (Including 2 Kookaburra Cups)