Garner century steers PINT to third flag in a row

PINT captain Tim Garner’s unbeaten century steered his club to another Darwin and Districts Cricket premiership at Marrara Cricket Ground.

District cricket champions PINT celebrate their victory over the Waratahs at Marrara

PINT captain Tim Garner’s unbeaten century steered his club to another Darwin and Districts Cricket premiership at Marrara Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The Greens rushed to 6-313 at lunch on day two in replay to Waratah’s first innings score of 116 and a lead of 197 before Red Caps skipper Steve Taylor conceded the match.

It was PINT’s third flag in a row, equalling the feats of Palmerston (2001-03) and the great Tracy Village-East Darwin sides of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

Garner’s 211-run partnership with Richie Hodgson (92no) sealed the win after PINT had crashed to 6-102 in pursuit of Tahs’ moderate total.

“I couldn’t be happier, particularly being out there at the end with Richie in what is probably his last game for the club is a fairytale come true,’’ Garner said.

“There were some nerves there (6-102) but you’ve just got to guts it out, it’s what finals cricket is all about.

“’We wanted to bat normally, get through the first hour which we knew would be tough and fortunately we stuck to our guns and made the most of it.’’

Hodgson played a straight bat when asked how he felt when the game was called off with his own score only eight shy of a breakthrough century.

“I don’t have an A-grade hundred, that’s two in the 90s now,’’ he said. “But the team accomplishment is the main one, it’s nice to tick off those little individual things but right now, I couldn’t be happier.’’