Sticky wicket for chasers as Darwin implodes

IT was a bridge too far for each of the teams chasing runs in Darwin Premier Grade cricket on Saturday.

At Gardens Oval, top-ofthe-table Darwin self-destructed 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.

First it was Anthony Adlam, caught by the keeper with only eight runs on the board, then 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.

Red Cap seamers Sam Geyer (2-17) and Caiden Eaton (2-37) 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 Eagles 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.

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 (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.