Palmerston double: Power claim Premier Grade & B Grade titles

Carlton Mid Premier Grade: Palmerston defeated Waratah by 150 runs

Palmerston has claimed an almighty premiership in one of the greatest turnarounds in Darwin and District Cricket Competition history.

Power captain Hamish Martin said he was proud of the achievement.

“I am so proud of this club, we have come a long way from where we were,” Martin said.

“Here we are sitting with an A-grade and B-grade flag, it is a terrific feeling.”

Before Martin took 5-10 to power his side over the line, opener Caleb Montague stood up like he has all season with a gutsy century.

The star Power recruit struck 109 to help his side set 222 on an opening day where no other Power could get going with the bat.

Warriors quick Noah McFadyen was causing issues for the Power, taking 5-70 including 10 maidens in a brilliant 26-over display.

Martin said he was “far from” thinking his side’s score of 222 was going to be enough after the first innings.

“Caleb Montague put a great performance together, I think we were 1-140 at lunch and then I think we ended up losing 9-70, Caleb Montague’s knock was terrific.

"We were pretty disheartened but we kept our hopes up and we never knew what could happen on day 2 and unfold in front of us.”

With that hope, the Power came to play on the second and final day of the grand final.

After a sensational start for the Power where they had the Warriors 3-8, they continued to put the foot down, taking 5-16 through the middle to get well ahead of the game.

Warriors skipper and danger bat Jagadesh Koduru was trapped LBW for a three-ball duck by Jasper Darley in a huge moment.

Martin claimed late wickets to seal the victory including Warriors coach-player Udara Weerasinghe who was his side’s top scorer with 20.

A slick caught behind from Cadell McMahon, bowled by Martin, dismissing No.11 Roshane Fernando was the winning moment as the Warriors were bowled out for 72. 

Martin was emotional about winning the flag, his first at Palmerston after years at the club.

“We are a destination club in my opinion from here on, people want to come to us and I could not hope for nothing more than more success for the club in the near future.”

DXC Technology B Grade: Palmerston defeated Nightcliff by 36 runs

Like their A Grade counterparts, the second Palmerston side won the toss on Saturday at Gardens Oval and elected to bat setting a total of 211 for the Tiger to chase.

A solid 90(185) at the top of the order by Jake Baker set the Power in good steads followed with contributions from experienced Captain John Flynn (33 off 60) and Dean Enniss (30 off 69). 

Nightcliff Captain Sukvir Singh took an impressive 5fa (5/48 off 20.3) to conclude the Palmerston innings leave just enough time for his side to face a few overs before the end of days play.

The momentum of the second innings continued to swing until the 71st over when Jayden Chatto 

Quality People C Grade: PINT defeated Waratah by 26 runs

Winning the toss and electing to bat, PINT posted a target of 143 for Waratah to chase. Atul Dogra contributed 31 off 25 balls while Tajinder Singh added a handy 27 from 27 deliveries. 

Waratah's Kasun Hewage did the damage with the ball, taking 4/24 off 7.2 overs. 

The Tahs batting line up saw notable efforts from Captain Chatura Don (30 off 36) and opener Harshana Jayasundara with 21 from 53.

However, it was Aakash Patel's exceptional bowling take 5 from just 17 runs from his 8 overs, that secured PINT's victory and the trophy. 

D Grade: Nightcliff defeated Waratah by 3 runs

Nightcliff posted a score of 176 after winning the toss and electing to bat with middle order batsmen Anav Bhandari and Bikramjeet Sidhu making 24 and 34 respectively. 

Waratah's bowlers impressed, Pakar Bhandari and Mohan Shrestha both taking 4 wickets with Bhandari also producing an important knock of 60(81).