Kahlin Oval result crucial in Finals makeup

A chanceless century by Darwin opener Anthony Adlam (133, 20 fours and two sixes) was the main point of difference between the Eagles and Palmerston at stumps in the match played at Kahlin Oval.

With a finals place on the line for the winners and only one minor round remaining, the Palmerston bowlers got into the act early and took wickets at regular intervals with the only obstacle being Adlam who was finally dismissed by maroon skipper Hamish Martin.

At tea, the home side was a shaky 7-119 and although Will Pilkington provided some support for Adlam immediately after the break they were finally dismissed for 200 from 57.3 overs. Palmy quick bowler Josh Baraba (4-34) and medium pacers Andrew Somerville (2-31) and Jack Freeman (2-42) always had their opponents on the back foot.

However, the home side struck back late in the day and with pacer Angus Sidey (1-27) who had missed the past 10 games with back injury and keen to return serve; the visitors were 2-68 with Keegan Oates (24 not out) and Baraba yet to score – Palmy trails by 132 runs.

Thanks to wonderful opening stands provided by Waratah pair Ryan Hackney (124) and Archie Redfern (110) and Southern Districts duo Dwaine Richards 159 and Dylan Mullen (146), both teams have set opponents huge scores to chase – Tahs 8-316 and Districts 7-391. Although the respective scores are imposing, in each case both failed to fully capitalise on the foundations and only Udara Weerasinghe (Tahs) with 19 batting in the late middle order and Lochie Hardy (22) at the top built any chance of the rural team passing the 400 mark.

Bowlers toiled long and hard in each game with PINT skipper Coby Edmondstone (5-106, 28 overs) and Tracy off-spinner Sam Elder (6-76, 17 overs) filing his best ever Premier Grade return, they signalled at least some degree of optimism for the bowling sides next week.

Round 13 Day 2 Preview.

It is likely that Waratah (8-316) and Southern Districts (7-391) have set their respective opponents PINT and Tracy Village a task too far for them to achieve. Nevertheless, it is the greens that has the best chance with proven run getters waiting for their turn to face what has shown to be an attack that lacks penetration.

PINT has a capable batting array starting with Coby Edmondstone and Sanka Wijegunarathna at the top and Jett Liebke, Farzan Chowna and Dhanusha Gamage lower down but each must be at their disciplined best against a moderate red cap attack missing some spinning strike power without Param Uppal and Jason Sangha.

The Villagers must get away against a formidable attack to have any chance of reaching the required target. The Tracy top order has been erratic, however, following his six-wicket haul, Sam Elder may have regained some self-belief but reliance on Max Hatzoglou and youngster Zayden Lewis to score the winning runs alone is unlikely to be a formula for victory.

But the game of true substance with a finals appearance at stake will continue at Kahlin Oval with Palmerston requiring another 133 runs for victory and a potential finals place at the expense of the Eagles.

Capable batsmen Keegan Oates (24 not out) and Josh Baraba yet to score are at the crease while Tom McGann, Alex Bleakley, Jake Baker and Hamish Martin will be keen to make an impression if needed.

Darwin’s bowling stocks are limited without Tom Menzies, Lloyd Pope, Jacob Dickman and Connor Hawkins but that should be motivation enough for a long line of others including Angus Sidey, Charlie Kemp, Will Pilkington, Blake Coburn, Matt Hammond and debutant leg spinner Max Menzies to make an impression with a possible finals place on the horizon.

Rd 13 Fixture Saturday 05 and 12 August

Darwin v Palmerston at Kahlin Oval (12.30pm)

Waratah v PINT at Gardens Oval (12.30pm)

Tracy Village v Southern Districts at Tracy Village Oval (12.30pm)

Bye: Nightcliff.