Devonport claimed back-to-back McDonald's Women’s Super League and Cup doubles and remained on course for a second successive unbeaten campaign.
Tom Ballantyne’s invincibles were made to work hard for their 1-0 win over Launceston United.
A well-organised United defence marshalled by ageless centre-back Katie Hill helped maintain keeper Jaz Venn’s clean sheet until 10 minutes from time.
Angel Ikeda’s tackle on substitute Elizabeth Sullivan was deemed sufficient for a penalty and the league’s standout player Asuka Doi converted her 26th goal of the campaign from the spot.
The victory means Strikers can no longer be caught by second-placed South Hobart who had the bye.
Glenorchy leapfrogged United into fourth place with a 2-0 win over Riverside secured by Jemima Brown and Elianna Diafokeris.
Taroona registered their first point of the season in a crazy 4-4 draw at Kingborough but it could have been so much more for the bottom side.
Sara Klott, Emily Funseth and Jessie Williams had them cruising before Hannah Walsh and Enya Anderson reduced the arrears. Williams’ second appeared to have the visitors on course for an upset win before Walsh struck again three minutes from time and completed her second hat-trick of the week from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game.
The NPL Tasmania title race swung back towards South Hobart courtesy of a pulsating game at Lightwood Park.
Chasing a seventh-straight win, second-placed Launceston City had to settle for a 1-1 draw against third-placed Kingborough.
A game dominated by impressive keepers Masatoshi Kawano and Lachie Clark saw both teams eventually find the net from late corners. Hugo Schwarz fired the Lions in front but Thierry Swaby headed City level four minutes later.
Kingborough coach Jon Fenech heaped praise on his “exceptional” 20-year-old goal-scoring defender, adding: “Credit to them for their response, but I can’t fault our boys’ work rate — the race for third is still in our hands.”
South Hobart cashed in, cruising to a 5-2 win at bottom-side Clarence to extend their lead.
Nick Morton (two), Jacob Lancaster, Kobe Kemp and Austin Yost had the visitors in control but Lachlan Burt’s quickfire brace restored respectability for Zebras.
Devonport kept up the chase with a 9-2 demolition of Launceston United.
A Colin Innes brace took him to seven goals in the last four games, Mitchell Burley also struck twice with further goals from Cody Sturzaker and Brady Last before Jordan Payne came off the bench to blast a 20-minute hat-trick. Soohyuk Kwon replied either side of half-time for the visitors.
A much closer high-scoring encounter involved Glenorchy beating Riverside 4-3.
A hat-trick from Lithuanian midfielder Gedi Krusa saw Olympic fight back after Nic Naden, Henry Bain and Riley Dillon had the hosts in control.
Riverside twice hit the woodwork and had a goal ruled out before sub Joel Sammut’s stoppage-time cross sailed in for Knights’ winner.
Devonport Strikers captain Georgia King celebrates her team's WSL win over Launceston United. Picture Simon Sturzaker.