EYE ON THE PRIZE
Top four teams battle it out for momentum as finals loom
CHRIS Kent hit a second successive classy hundred to help put PINT in a commanding position in the Darwin Premier Grade last-round clash against Darwin at Kahlin Oval.
Kent smashed 178 off 152 balls, with 24 fours and six sixes, to help his team to 323 all-out.
The hosts are 1-28 in reply, with day two to resume next Saturday.
The 26-year-old former Northern Suburbs (Brisbane) first and second-grader hit 146 off 174 balls against Waratah last round.
He was assisted by PINT veteran Simon Lavers (54 off 59) to give their second-placed team a great opportunity to knock over Eagles before they could face each other again in a semi-final.
“Today was much of the same (as his innings against Waratah). Every ball I wanted to be ready to play my shots and play straight. And I let my hands flow,” Kent said.
“It was my job to let the runs flow and bury them. We (Kent and Lavers) were really hammering them and they were arguing among themselves a bit. “I was watchful early on. “Simon was doing well when I was scratching around.
“When I was nudging them, he was smashing them.”
Waratah is also in a strong position against Nightcliff at Gardens Oval, the hosts reaching 7-339 at stumps.
Captain Brad Schmulian (64 off 67), Sam Elder (62 notout), Tom MacRury (50 off 62) and Muhammad Tahir (42 off 47) stood out with the bat.
Legspinner Lahiru Anthony (3-81) toiled hard for the Tigers with the ball.
“We haven’t batted for time over the past two weeks, so it was good to bat the whole day,” Schmulian said.
“I felt good. I’ve been OK in the middle lately, but just haven’t scored much the past few weeks.
“It was nice to get a 60-odd and hit some out of the middle again.
“(Elder) didn’t score quickly, but bided his time and read the situation pretty well.”
First-placed Palmerston has already secured first-innings points against Southern Districts at Cazalys Oval, the visitors bowled out for 82 and the Power 4-253 in reply.
Opener Kieran Toner stood out with 76 off 107 after legspinner Kyle Gardiner snared stunning figures of 6-19.
“Kyle did what he usually does, and he deserved a bigwicket haul,” Palmerston captain Alex Bleakley said.
“With our batting, we’ve got seven guys who can make a hundred and win us a game. We want top spot and we want to go on with it next week.”
‘It was my job to let the runs flow and bury them’ CHRIS KENT