Southern Districts beat Darwin by 78 runs to win their second Premier Grade premiership in a row
Southern Districts have claimed their second Premier Grade flag in a row after two key imports claimed eight wickets between them.
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IT WAS back-to-back premierships for Southern Districts following a 78-run triumph over Darwin in the Premier Grade decider at DXC Arena.
Chasing 245 for victory on day two, the Eagles were dismissed for 166 from 61.2 overs, with number 11 Connor Hawkins, caught by Dwaine Richards off the bowling of Xavier Crone, the final wicket to fall.
Crocs skipper Matt Hammond paid tribute to the all-round ability of his side throughout the season.
“It’s an awesome feeling. This is why we play the game and although last year was special, to go back-to-back is something very special,” Hammond told the NT News.
“We were in a spot of bother yesterday at 7/123 but we never give up.
“There are no individuals, we are a team and that’s the way we play our cricket and the reason we have been successful for a long period of time now.
“Everyone has a role no matter where they bat or bowl and each always gives 100 per cent.”
Day two began with the Eagles immediately on the back foot after Brodie Symons removed both openers with just 14 runs on the board.
However, a mini-recovery led by keeper/batter Dhruv Kant (77) and Matt Calder (22) got the Eagles back on track.
But when Sam Kerber brilliantly caught Will Pilkington off his own bowling, the end was near.
Kerber’s 4/42, from a marathon 20-over spell from the airport end, and the menacing Xavier Crone (4/39), did most of the damage.
Tim Garner, whose unbeaten 94 on day one underpinned Crocs’ 9/244, said the match situation was similar to 2013 where he stroked an unbeaten 74 for PINT against Darwin to win the second flag of a famous threepeat.
Garner couldn’t explain why his grand final form was so dependable, scoring 343 runs from five innings for just one dismissal.
“I don’t know what it is, I guess I just rise to the occasion,” Garner said, who thought 244 was defendable with his team's “first class attack”.
“A few people have asked the same question.
“You just give everything every time you go out there, if it comes off it comes off.”
During the match presentations, Hammond said his club had been inspired to emulate the Eagles’ trio of successive flags (2015-17), which directly followed PINT’s threepeat.
He also thanked the club’s imports, including Sam Kerber and Xavier Crone who were instrumental in the win.
“I know it’s a big sacrifice to play away from your family and your friends,” Hammond said.
“Thanks for sticking with us.”
Hawkins, who had handed captaincy duties to coach Jake Reed during his absence due to his two-game suspension after round 12, said the Eagles had simply been beaten by a better team.
“He’s probably the perfect man for that situation,” Hawkins said of Garner’s matchwinning contribution.
“He didn’t give a chance.
“They deserve it, they’ve been the best team all year. They’ve set the bar pretty high.”
Reed said he was proud his Premier Grade team had reached two grand finals this Darwin & District Cricket Competition season, albeit in losing campaigns to Districts.
“Clubs aspire to be what you have right now,” Reed said to the Districts players.
“It’s thoroughly deserved. You’re a class outfit, so congratulations.
“I woke up this morning and thought we were a full-on sniff, but you blokes found a way.”
He hoped to keep the team’s core group together and they would remain “hungry for a bit of success”.
“If we can stick together for a few years, big things are coming our way,” he said.
Tim Garner’s 94 saves the day for Southern Districts
A BRILLIANT rearguard 94 not out from gun Southern Districts recruit and grand final specialist Tim Garner has rescued the Crocs on day one of the Premier Grade decider.
Teetering at 7/123, the former PINT batter combined with Districts captain Matt Hammond (25) to put on 79 crucial runs for the eighth wicket at DXC Arena.
Garner, who crossed to the Crocs for the 2022 season after winning three flags in succession (2012-14) with PINT, has become synonymous with big game runs, scoring 45 not out, 74* and an unbeaten 103 in those winning grand finals, plus 27 in a losing campaign in 2018.
However, on Saturday, it was largely a topsy-turvy opening day of the Darwin & District Cricket Competition decider, with neither Districts nor Darwin holding a distinct advantage by stumps.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Districts were immediately on the back foot when its fragile top order was sent packing by Eagle medium-pacer Tom Menzies.
The teenager sent both openers Dylan Mullen (one) and Dwaine Richards (eight) packing with the Crocs in early bother at 2/14.
But a series of mini partnerships lifted the reigning premier to 4/105 at the tea break with Xavier Crone (39) and Dean Fry (34) leading the way, while in-form leftie Sam Kerber was run out for 18.
However, Darwin quick and coach Jake Reed got rid of Crone, Brodie Symons and Corey Kelly in quick succession immediately after the break, leaving the Crocs wobbling at 7/123. But the wheel turned again when Garner combined with Hammond before the skipper was brilliantly caught and bowled by spinner Shehan Sinnetamby (2/81).
The defending champions finished at 9/244 after 80 overs, with several brilliant counter punches from Garner in the final overs: a thunderous pull shot to the fence off Reed and a towering six down the ground off Sinnetamby which had the umpires searching for a replacement ball.
Reed (3/54) and Menzies (2/23) always threatened with the ball, however, while the returning from suspension Connor Hawkins (1/39 off 18 overs), also toiled without much response on the largely bat friendly wicket at Marrara.
Darwin young guns inspire Eagles’ semi-final win
SOUTHERN Districts and Darwin will contest the Premier Grade cricket grand final following contrasting semi-final victories over the weekend.
It comes three years after Crocs beat the Eagles by 108 runs at DXC Arena to claim the two-day premiership.
Districts, who are chasing back-to-back flags, comprehensively defeated Nightcliff inside the first day of their match played at Gerry Wood Oval.
In the other semi-final between Darwin and Waratah played at Kahlin Oval, the Eagles were precariously placed at 7/117 at stumps on the rain shortened day one.
And when Tom Menzies was dismissed early on the second day there was justified jubilation among the Waratah fielders.
But an unlikely pairing between Will Pilkington (55 not out) and skipper Jake Reed (35), who both chalked up their best Premier Grade scores for the season, added 76 for the ninth wicket and carried the Eagles to a competitive 9/214 at the compulsory close after 71 overs.
Madura Weerasinghe (3/48), Sam Geyer (3/64) and Roby Lane (2/19) were the best performed among the Red Cap bowlers.
The Waratah run chase started dismally with the demise of Austin Umpherston and Isaac Conway courtesy of a couple of Reed thunderbolts.
But to the surprise of all in attendance, the much-valued wicket of Ashley Chandrasinghe (24) came about in remarkable circumstances when Eagle leg-spinner Shehan Sinnetamby bowled him a first ball full toss.
It was hit to mid-wicket and comfortably caught by Dylan Brasher.
Tahs were dismissed for 129 and only Jagadeswara Koduru (32) looked comfortable against the aggression of Reed (4/36) and persistence of Menzies (4/23), who filed his best-ever Premier Grade bowling return from 11 quality overs.
Waratah will not have the chance to reverse the 2021 season decider result against reigning premier Southern Districts.
However, many eyes will be on the deeds of Victorian rookie Chandrasinghe as he begins his first-class journey with the Vics against NSW in a pre-season game in Coffs Harbour later in the week.
Crocs book place in Premier Grade grand final
SOUTHERN Districts has skyrocketed into the 2022 Premier Grade grand final following a dominant first innings performance against Nightcliff at Gerry Wood Oval on Saturday.
Chasing back-to-back flags in the Darwin & District Cricket Competition’s top flight, the Crocs knocked over a poor Tigers batting array for a paltry 99 runs in 40.4 overs.
In reply, Districts were 2/103 from 26.3 overs when captains decided to draw stumps.
Batting first after winning the toss, Nightcliff gave as good as they got early, but once quick Brodie Symons (5/17) and left-arm orthodox Sam Kerber (2/11) found rhythm, it was all over for the visitors.
Only opener Mansukh Singh (45) appeared capable of withstanding the bowling blitz.
The other semi-final between Darwin and Waratah at Kahlin Oval was delayed until 3pm following early morning rain.
It was determined that a 71 over match, coupled with a 11.30am start on Sunday, would take place.
Sent into bat, Darwin is precariously poised at 7/117 with Will Pilkington (five not out) and Tom Menzies (four not out) at the crease when day one closed.
The Eagles were on the back foot early courtesy of some fiery bowling by Sam Geyer (2/39) who removed both openers Anthony Adlam (first ball duck) and Dylan Brasher (five) with just 14 runs on the board.
A mini recovery led by Dhruv Kant (24) and Matt Calder (33) got Darwin back on track until Calder smashed an undisciplined shot down the throat of long-on from the bowling of off-spinner Madura Weerasinghe.
Another two wickets by Weerasinghe (3/26) and one each to Caiden Eaton and Roby Lane again had the Eagles struggling and with some work to do when play recommences on Sunday.
At stumps, Weerasinghe told the NT News it was good to have an extended spell at the crease in a season where he had produced just six wickets coming into the match.
“I’m pretty happy with the way I bowled,” Weerasinghe said.
“I haven’t had many opportunities to bowl this year.
“At the moment we are on top, the boys did well.
“Before the game started, (captain) Isaac (Conway) said … we don’t have to change anything.
“Just believe in yourself.”
Two Crocs hammer PINT
TWO former SA Redbacks have combined to rescue Southern Districts and post a 308-run partnership against PINT in Premier Grade cricket on Saturday.
Corey Kelly, who stepped away from the state squad for personal reasons earlier this year, joined former contracted player Sam Kerber at the crease at 5/33.
Kerber was delisted by SA in May this year.
However, Kelly (140) and Kerber (168) combined to drag the reigning premiers to a very competitive 9/351 before declaring.
Meanwhile, Waratah batter Ash Chandrasinghe’s search for a record-equalling sixth consecutive first grade hundred was thwarted by the toss of the coin.
Palmerston won it and elected to bat, with the Maroons batters Awad Naqvi (65) and Harshtik Bimbral (21) setting an early pace.
But a succession of wickets held the home team to a modest 192 from 69.3 overs.
Returning from a five-week injury lay-off, Red Cap medium pacer Austin Umpherston (3-44) shone with the ball while two wickets each to Hugo Matthias, Madura Weerasinghe and RC Handke also aided the cause.
Tahs were 0/21 at stumps with Chandrasinghe on nine not out.
However, the NT News understands the 20-year-old will return to Melbourne and is not available for the second Saturday.
Meanwhile, with first innings points already in the book, Darwin is on the verge of securing a top four spot following a dominant first day against Tracy Village in the Premier Grade match at the Village Green.
Tracy skipper Tim Cummins won the toss and elected to bat, and the decision seemed justified after openers Josh Kann and Josh Hoffman flayed the Eagle bowlers to all parts of, and often beyond, the oval.
Kann (58 from 24 balls faced with four fours and five sixes) was the dominant partner, bringing up his half-century off 19 balls.
But once he was dismissed with 68 runs on the board, it was all downhill for the home side, bowled out for 129 from 42.3 overs.
Darwin leg spinner Shehan Sinnetamby was thrown the ball early and in a season best, rolled down 16 overs and took 5/32.
Recruited from the Mosman Cricket Club as a batter and part-time bowler, Sinnetamby’s wicket returns had been modest, but he never lost faith and continued to work on his emerging craft.
“I was a bit rusty at the start, but they came out alright at the end, so it turned out to be a good day,” Sinnetamby said.
“Our plan was for me to come on pretty early, but it was probably a bit earlier than expected after Kanny (Kann) whacked us around a bit, so I bowled first change rather than second or third.”
Dynamic Eagle openers Dylan Brasher (87 not out) and Anthony Adlam (50 not out) set about the Tracy bowlers and at stumps the visitors were 0/139.
Ash Chandrasinghe makes fifth consecutive hundred
WARATAH gun bat Ash Chandrasinghe has the technique and the temperament to play at the highest level, some key Tahs figures have told the NT News.
The 20-year-old made his fifth successive hundred in Premier Grade – breaking the record held by Jake Weatherald and Greg Clarence – with an unbeaten 159 off 245 balls against Tracy Village at Gardens Oval on Saturday.
He combined with skipper Isaac Conway for a second wicket partnership of 240 runs, bringing up his 150 with a massive six over mid-wicket off spinner Reiley Mark.
Chandrasinghe, who started the season with two ducks, now has 693 runs at 115.5 in the top flight of the Darwin & District Cricket Competition.
After carrying his bat for the second game in succession, Chandrasinghe said he was aware of the occasion but was determined to stick with his successful batting processes.
“When I got the hundred, there was a bit of nerves and excitement because I thought I was still in the nineties but after the single there was a lot of noise from the crowd and Isaac (Conway) said: ‘You’ve got it’, so that was a good moment,” Chandrasinghe said.
“I was a bit excited going in but at the end of the day it was another game, so basically I tried to follow the same processes right from early on the day of the match.
“In making runs, partnerships in the middle are crucial to help each other get through and in the last couple of innings I’ve had terrific support from Jag (Jagadeswara Koduru) and today from Isaac.”
Tahs coach Udara Weerasinghe said it was a simple case of hard work paying off for the talented southpaw who was handed a Victorian rookie contract earlier this year.
“He’s just getting started,” Weerasinghe said.
“He’s one of those players who knows where their off stump is.
“Champions are made when nobody is watching, that’s my story for him.”
Weerasinghe said with more confidence and “no fear”, Chandrasinghe was sure to rise further up the cricketing ranks.
“By next year he’ll be a totally different player,” he said.
He said Chandrasinghe kept coming back to Gardens Oval from Melbourne due to the culture being built at Waratah.
“He loves this place, he doesn’t like this place,” he said.
A beaming club president Simon Matthias said all five of Chandrasinghe’s “amazing” tons were chanceless.
“I think he has all the attributes, the personal qualities as well as the talent to go to the highest level,” he said.
“Ash now stands alone, at the top of the pile.
“He’s every chance to get six (in a row) the way he’s batting.
“He’s perfectly suited to four-day cricket, and that’s why I think he’s really got a strong future at first class level.”
Chandrasinghe has been living with Matthias and his family during his stay in Darwin.
“I think he was keen to have that family environment,” he said.
“He wants to focus on his cricket.
“He knows he’ll get well fed (laughs).”
However, Matthias said the club had tried to avoid mentioning the record during the week.
“Nobody in the club has raised it once,” he said.
“We were talking about it among ourselves, but never in front of him.
“I have to say, he’s been pretty quiet around the house, you could see he was thinking about it.”
Darwin implodes as Southern Districts shoot to top of the table
IT WAS a bridge too far for each of the teams chasing runs in Darwin Premier Grade cricket on Saturday.
At Gardens Oval, top-of-the-table Darwin selfdestructed early, and apart from keeper/batsman Dhruv Kant who compiled a patient 54, the rest seemed in a rush to reach the imposing 401 scored by Waratah last week.
Firstly, it was Anthony Adlam who was caught by the keeper following a sequence of uncharacteristically expansive play and misses.
Then, with only eight runs on the board, Dylan Brasher and Matt Calder fell in quick succession.
At 5-74, the Eagles manufactured a mini recovery, but they were eventually dismissed for 111 from a mere 32.3 overs.
It was Red Cap seamers Sam Geyer (2/17) and Caiden Eaton (2/37) who did the early damage then medium-pacer Nadeesha Belpage (2/5) and left-arm orthodox spinner Dylan Hunter (2/17) finished the job.
Waratah skipper Isaac Conway decided to chase outright points and asked Darwin to bat again but it was a desperate tactic and Eagle opening pair Adlam and Brasher toyed with the bowlers — setting an astonishing batting atmosphere without losing a wicket.
“I thought we were a genuine chance of getting full points especially after the way they batted in the first innings,” Conway said.
“There were 42 overs left in the day and I also thought it would be a waste if we didn’t have a crack especially with the ladder so tight at the top.”
With a place in the top four at stake, a desperate Nightcliff set about chasing 315 for victory against Southern Districts.
But despite a number of promising partnerships, none were enough to topple the reigning premier and the Tigers were finally dismissed for 188.
Josh Brown batting at six and Caelan Maladay at nine scored 62 and 42 not out respectively but it was too little too late.
A pleasing aspect for the Crocs was the welcome return to wicket-taking form of leg-spinner Tom O’Connell (4/54).
The win, and with other results favouring them, pushed Districts back to top position on the ladder.
PINT, with 361 on the board, recorded its second win of the season at the expense of Tracy Village who were rolled for 119 off 41.3 overs.
Josh Hoffman (61) batting at the top of the order was again the best for Tracy but it was Green left-arm paceman Nick Winter who dominated proceedings with 5/39 from 16.3 quality overs.
Ash Chandrasinghe equals Premier Grade record with fourth consecutive hundred
WARATAH batter Ashley Chandrasinghe became only the third player in Darwin Premier Grade cricket to record centuries in four consecutive games.
In characteristic style, Chandrasinghe (166 not out off 234 balls) ground out his ton against top-of-the-ladder Darwin at Gardens Oval.
The last man to do it was Jake Weatherald in 2015 for Tracy Village, making six tons that year with 1012 runs for the season at an average of 67.
Chandrasinghe, who started the season with two ducks, has now compiled 534 runs at an average of 89 from just seven matches.
On Saturday, he shared a 75-run opening stand with Dylan Hunter (55) and a 289-run third wicket partnership with Jagadeswara Koduru (147), with the Tahs reaching 4/401 at stumps.
Injured Red Cap batsman Austin Umpherston normally opens the inning with Chandrasinghe, but a training mishap has meant he watched from the sidelines as his 20-year-old partner has set about rewriting the Top End batting records.
The Port Adelaide Cricket Club captain in his second season with Tahs believes Chandrasinghe is one of the best young talents he has witnessed.
“I would not be alone when I say the Ashley is one of the best young talents I’ve seen and played with,” Umpherston told the NT News.
“He’s got an ability that a lot of other players don’t have – the way he leaves the ball and the patience he has at the crease.
“He’s going to be a special player in years to come especially in the red ball game.
“Having said that, in the past couple of years I’ve seen Ash develop his white ball game and in time that part will come, especially with his work ethic.”
Umpherston expects to be back at the crease with Chandrasinghe for the next match against Tracy Village.
“I injured lateral ligaments in my knee about a month ago and have watched from the side while the team has gone from strength to strength,” he said.
“I should be back for the next game and will be here for the entire season including finals if we make them.”
At Gardens, Darwin’s bowling stocks received an early setback when fiery Jake Reed suffered a lower leg injury in his first over and that was almost the signal for the Tahs batsmen to step up the tempo.
At Nightcliff Oval, Southern Districts reached 9/314 at the close with former PINT skipper Tim Garner (104 not out) scoring his initial century for his new club.
Caelan Maladay (5/91) and Charlie Smith (3/61) were the best with the ball for the Tigers.
And at DXC Arena, PINT compiled 361 with Jack Wood playing a leading role (159 with 10 fours and 11 sixes), giving Tracy Village some work to do next week.
Darwin jumps to top of ladder after crushing win over Palmerston
DARWIN jumped to the top of the table following its 266-run victory over Palmerston on Saturday at Kahlin Oval.
Needing to score a massive 487 for victory, the Maroons were immediately on the back foot after the Eagle opening bowlers Will Pilkington (3/39), Luke Zanchetta (2/33) and Jake Reed (2/50) tore into the opposition top-order.
Although expensive by comparison, skipper Connor Hawkins (3/70) also chipped in with valuable wickets.
While the task for Palmerston was gigantic, some undisciplined batting and the unsettling effect of the early aggression and pace generated by Reed in particular was the catalyst behind the failure of most batsmen.
Notable exceptions were Connor Blaxall-Hill (84) and hard-hitting Harshtik Bimbral (40).
The Maroons failed to take full account of the placid Kahlin track and lasted a scant 45.5 overs.
Although in reality, it was the sheer weight of runs scored by Darwin last week that delivered the winning formula.
Meanwhile at Gerry Wood Oval, Southern Districts failed to gain outright points against Tracy Village.
Beginning the day at 4/159, a first innings lead of 19 runs and with Xavier Crone at the crease, Districts declared at 6/321 with Crone (124) becoming the first Croc batsman to score a Premier Grade century this season, while all-rounder Brodie Symons contributing a near run-a-ball 90.
Batting a second time (9/189, Josh Hoffman 82), Tracy managed to avoid consecutive outright defeats despite the bowling endeavours of Sam Kerber (4/38), Symons (2/19) and Matt Hammond (2/29).
And at Tigerland, Waratah jumped into serious finals contention after downing Nightcliff by 85 runs.
Chasing 292 for victory, and despite losing an early wicket, the Tigers were nearly always around the mark.
However, while most of the middle-order got starts, only Raveesh Srivastava (44), batting at five, appeared comfortable against the wily left-arm spin of Dylan Hunter (7-74 off 21 overs).
PINT’s Miracle on Turf sees the cellar dwellers score unlikely victory
PINT has pulled off the most unlikely of reverse outright victories after a hat-trick to Ben May, taking the last three wickets of the match against University to win by a single run.
After the Bulls made 158 in reply to PINT’s 77 at University Oval, PINT knocked up a rapid fire 130 off just 27.4 overs, with Vishwas Saini belting 91 off 89 balls with 10 fours and two sixes.
His knock came among six ducks for the innings, as Pukar Bhandari took 6/34 and Ajay Emmanuel 3/37.
Leaving the Bulls to chase a modest 50 for victory, the match appeared well and truly over.
However, the game reached a thrilling climax as University was rolled for 48, Ben May (5/31) taking the last three wickets in three balls, as the Bulls lost 5-7.
Harrison Massey would take 10 wickets for the match – which saw 13 ducks, including three of the golden variety – after taking 6/39 in the first innings and 4/16 in the second.
On the club’s Facebook page, the miracle win was described as the “upset of the millennium” and it appeared “game over” with the Bulls needing just 50 to win outright.
“Never seen a game result like this,” the club said.
Palmerston also won outright against Darwin at Cazalys Oval, but in much less spectacular fashion.
After chasing down Darwin’s 123, the Eagles then set the Maroons 130 to win after declaring at 4/143 (Will Hamilton 69 off 37 balls, Dylan Slater 47 off 33, Lachlan Gallagher 3/10.
The Maroons were wobbling at 7/94 as Greg Brautigam (3/14) before Lance Hearn (34 not out) and Anthony Schuppan (eight not out) saw them to the finish line.
At Tracy Village Oval, Southern Districts were unable to force an outright after the Crocs gained an 82-run lead on the first innings, bowling out the home side for 94 (Andrew Bourne 5/25, Nathan Hangan 2/5, Kai Snape 2/10) in reply to its 176.
The visitors declared its second innings at 5/98 off just 13.6 overs (Ryan Harvey 44 off 27 balls, Tahir Abbas 2/24).
However, Sam Elder (12 not out) and Reghard Els (an unbeaten 31 off 31 balls) batted out the remainder of the game before stumps were drawn at 0/43 after 10 overs.
At Cazalys Arena, ladder leaders Nightcliff were never in the hunt chasing Waratah’s 146, rolled for 89 (Mansukh Singh 32 off as many balls) as Handtke took 6/49 off 17.1 overs.
Ash Chandrasinghe scores third consecutive hundred in Premier Grade
IT WAS like chocolates to boiled lollies for Palmerston as Darwin pounded the Maroon bowlers to all parts of the park in their Premier Grade top-of-the-table clash at Kahlin Oval. Following Palmy’s outright victory last weekend and subsequent elevation to ladder leader, Darwin set about the bowling from the beginning, and led by a 203-run opening partnership by Dylan Brasher (195 off 205 balls, 17 fours and eight sixes) and Anthony Adlam (76), the Eagles amassed 8/486 at stumps on day one.
While Brasher was the early star of the show, Matt Calder, batting at four, iced the cake with a belligerent 91 (46 balls faced, eight fours, six sixes) and there was little the Palmerston bowlers could do to contain the batting onslaught.
Even star Hamish Martin (4-136, 24 overs) couldn’t halt the rampaging attack with this left arm orthodox.
Darwin skipper Connor Hawkins was satisfied with the day and paid homage to his openers for setting the batting platform.
“I won the toss and batted on what looked like a wicket with plenty of runs in it,” Hawkins said.
“Both Dylan (Brasher) and Anthony (Adlam) settled down early and set the platform for a big score which then allowed for others to also get among the runs.
“We are not complacent, and while a win and top place is on offer, we are mindful that the job is only half done, and Palmerston has shown they are capable with the bat.”
Meanwhile, Waratah opener Ashley Chandrasinghe (108, 12 fours) continued with his recent outstanding form, scoring his third consecutive century and with skipper Isaac Conway (73, his fourth consecutive half-century) and Jagadeswara Koduru (50) leading from the front they set Nightcliff an imposing 292 to chase for victory next week.
The Tigers mixed up their bowlers with Param Uppal (4-62) and big quick Caelan Maladay (4-73) sharing the bulk of the wickets.
And Tracy Village’s recent form slump continued as Southern Districts has already gained first innings points in the match played at Gerry Wood Oval.
The home side bowled first after winning the toss, and led by Brodie Symons (5-26), reduced the Villagers to 140 all out off 40.5 overs.
At stumps, Districts are 4-159 with Xavier Crone unbeaten on 74 while Tracy spinner Reiley Mark (3-64, 15 overs) is at the top of the bowling card.
Nightcliff close in on another win in B Grade
Ladder leaders Nightcliff are well placed to maintain their place on top of the B Grade table, 3/40 in reply to Waratah’s 146 at Cazalys Arena.
Earlier, Wilson Ryan’s 74 held the Tahs together as Coen McKinnon (4/29) and William Blair (4/39) took the wickets, the visitors crumbling from 1/71.
At Tracy Village Oval, the home team were 3/56 chasing Southern Districts’ 176 (Dwaine Richards 42, Lachlan Cruse 3/40, Sam Elder 2/25, Imran Khan 2/32).
Meanwhile, PINT are in deep trouble against University.
After the Bulls posted 158 (Amit Saini 54 off 52 balls, Harrison Massey 6/39, Joel Whelan 2/43) in reply to PINT’s 77 (Saini 3/8 off eight overs) at University Oval, the visitors were sitting at a precarious 3/4
Ajay Emmanuel did the bulk of the damage with 2/0 off one over.
There could be a thrilling finish at Cazalys Oval with Palmerston 8/89 chasing Darwin’s 123 (Kris Denby 38 off 35 balls, five fours and a six Jayden Chatto 5/33, Jordan Sonderberg 3/37, Lance Hearn 2/38).
In reply, Palmerston lost consistent wickets with Denby (2/17), Shannon Smith (2/16) and Greg Brautigam (2/25) doing the damage.
Palmerston’s Hamish Martin claims 14 wickets against Tracy Village
PALMERSTON left arm orthodox spinner Hamish Martin took 14 wickets for the match as his team claimed outright points against Tracy Village in round 10 of the Premier Grade cricket competition.
Commencing at 1/49 chasing Tracy’s 128, Palmy declared its first innings closed at 8/243 and a lead of 115 runs.
Best with the bat was Mitchell Hearn (100 not out, 67 balls faced, eight fours and six sixes) while Village off-spinner Reiley Mark bowled a marathon 26 overs and returned 4/80.
The Villagers didn’t fare much better in their second innings and were dismissed for 136 with Josh Hoffman making a quick fire 87 not out.
But Martin (6/54) again did the damage – to go with his 8/44 in the first innings – and his side knocked off the required runs, losing two wickets in the process.
Playing at home at Kahlin Oval, Darwin (297) overcame a disorganised Nightcliff to take first innings points after bowling the Tigers out for 189.
The visitors started well enough, but the persistence of the Eagles bowlers frustrated the batters and only Raveesh Srivastava (76) and Yuvraj Sharma (48) held their nerve long enough to bother the steady attack, led by skipper Connor Hawkins (3/54) and medium-pacer Luke Zanchetta (2/35).
Unable to play due to COVID protocols enforced during the week but watching the game electronically was club coach and key bowler Jake Reed, and he was happy with what he saw.
“I’m currently isolating but couldn’t miss the opportunity to watch the game electronically and it seems the boys bowled really well,” Reed said.
“I thought Nightcliff bowled a fraction short last week and we spoke about pitching it up and letting the ball do a bit and the boys did just that which was nice to see.”
And at DXC Arena it was the Roby Lane (5/63) and Sam Geyer (3/39) show as the Waratah pair combined with the ball to ensure PINT (10/222 off 71.5 overs) couldn’t run down the required total with the Greens falling 103 runs short.
PINT skipper Sanka Wijegunarathne (61) maintained his recent good batting form while Lachlan Roughley was belligerent at the end (59 off 56 balls including 11 fours).
Tigers top the ladder in B Grade
Nightcliff has cemented its place on top of the B Grade ladder with a 89-run win over Darwin at Nightcliff Oval.
Phillip Hull (4/34 off 17 overs) was the pick of the Tigers bowlers as the Eagles were dismissed for 202 in pursuit of Nightcliff’s 291 (Byron Gale 94, Peter Kalidonis 77) last Saturday, despite the efforts of Greg Brautigam (4/49).
The pair put 151 for the opening wicket, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
At Gerry Wood Oval, University were absolutely smashed by an innings and 13 runs by third-placed Southern Districts.
The Bulls were rolled for 91 and 80 in reply to the Crocs’ 7/184 declared (Luke Gandy 43, Ashley Nagel 40).
Andrew Bourne claimed match figures of 8/42 including a haul of 5/21 in the second innings, while Gandy backed up his batting with 4/29 in the first dig.
Tracy Village also enjoyed a commanding victory, defeating Palmerston by 10 wickets.
In a low scoring match, Tracy only had to make 24 runs in its second dig after dismissing Palmerston for 100 and 112, as Lachlan Cluse delivered the exceptional figures of 4/15 off 10.3 overs in the second innings.
Jake Baker was a one man show for Palmerston with scores of 43 and 48 while Sanjay Anandarajah’s 53 was the bedrock of Tracy’s 189.
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