Centuries inspire PINT to big score in Darwin Premier Grade against Southern Districts

A HUGE batting effort from captain Marc Calkin and Simon Lavers saw PINT pile on 365 runs on day one of the Darwin Premier Grade Round 12 clash against Southern Districts at Marrara yesterday.

Southern Districts’ Lachlan Griffiths hunts a wicket against PINT at Marrara Cricket Ground. PICTURE: Justin Kennedy

A HUGE batting effort from captain Marc Calkin and Simon Lavers saw PINT pile on 365 runs on day one of the Darwin Premier Grade Round 12 clash against Southern Districts at Marrara yesterday.

The 217-run partnership between opening batsman Lavers and Calkin has put PINT in a comfortable position looking to next week.

Lavers, who managed 147 runs during a four hour stint in the middle, was complemented by Calkin, who manged 138 batting at four.

PINT captain Marc Calkin.

Zac Chapman (37) got among the runs as well for PINT, while Josh Dunning (4-64) and Matt Hammond (3-79) were the best of the bowlers for Southern Districts.

With the hot weather, Calkin was pleased with his teams’ effort, despite Joel Logan, Jack Dansie and Riley Schipp not managing to trouble the scorers.

“I thought it was the Dry Season, but it wasn’t, it was bloody hot,” he said. “But it was a good day out for the boys.

“Myself and Simon had to bat through the day but their fielding was very good (so) we put the pressure on and got a few bonuses.

“We pushed towards the end but it didn’t work out, we tried to leave wickets in the shed at the end of the day but Simon got out and then I got out not long after.”

Calkin said his team would not be taking it easy at training through the week, with a strong focus on fielding.

“Last time we got 350 we didn’t hold onto it (so) you’ve got to put the work in through the week,” Calkin said.

“(The pitch) was a bit sticky and funny this morning when we were batting, the ball was swinging around a little and we were tired because we are a bit older but (we) conserved the energy — and put the pressure on a couple of their fielders.”

In other games, Palmerston were bowled out for 182 runs after succumbing to Brad Schmulian, who bagged five wickets for Waratah at Gardens Oval.

Alex Bleakley (63), Josh Hoffman (41) and Matt Fregona (35) fired with the willow for Palmerston.

In reply, Tahs ended the day at 1-106 courtesy of James Seymour (48) and Simon Lewis (33no).

In the crucial match at Kahlin Oval, Darwin dismissed Tracy Village for 160 runs before ending the day in bad shape at 9-110.

Kyle Scrimegour (47) and Rajenthiran Poharjan (29) top scored for Tracy Village, while Andrew Nicholson (4-25) and Aaron Summers (3-61) had a good day with the ball for the competition leaders.

When the roles were reversed, Tate Robins (4-12) and Nick Patterson (3-37) decimated the Darwin line up with Josh Doyle (47), Summers (22) and Joel Boucher (17) the only players to reach double figures for the home side.

Darwin captain Luke Shelton, who made a superb 218 in the previous round against Palmerston, was run out yesterday before he had registered a run.