CROCS KEEP ON CHOMPING

SOUTHERN Districts’ Premier Grade cricket juggernaut continues to roll on with all 11cylinders firing and this time it was Darwin that was steamrolled at Kahiln Oval in their top-of-the-table clash.

Commencing day two at 2-66, chasing Darwin’s 197, the Crocs lost Daniel Kerber (31) early when Eagle quick Jake Reed bowled him a searing delivery that Kerber failed to keep down. However, a succession of middle-order partnerships, led by Tim Garner (53 not out), set the rural men on the road to victory at 5-198 in 50 overs on Saturday.

Darwin’s bowlers toiled, but only Reed (4-42, 16 overs) looked likely to damage the Croc batting wherewithal.

Districts skipper Matt Hammond is pleased with the contribution from each player.

“We are conscious that no one has made a hundred and I’ve taken the only five-for (wickets) so that shows the impressive all-round ability of this group,” he said. “We go into each game with some sort of plan, but no game goes perfectly, so it is a collective effort that gets the job done.

“Corey (Kelly) was missing today and will be away for a few weeks, but we have depth and, with Brodie Symons coming back next week, it is a direct swap.”

And in another early finish, Palmerston (3-258, 50.5 overs) overwhelmed PINT (254) to run out seven wicket winners.

Connor Carroll (70) continued his dominance at the top of the order, while Alex Bleakley (67 not out), keeper/batsman Corey McDean (50 not out) and Connor Blaxall-Hall (48) completed a forceful Maroon top order batting card.

While out at the village green, Tracy (10-237) keeper/ batsman Tom Jackson (89) always struggled against the long line of Nightcliff bowlers who, apart from quick Caelan Maladay (3-55, 20 overs), otherwise shared the wickets and the Tigers recorded a comfortable 83-run victory.