Haisman Shield | Gallery | Larkin ton lifts Central Park-St Brendan’s to big win over Nagambie

Coming up against a star-studded Lakers attack led by in-form skipper Mark Nolan and young gun Jono Moore, Larkin imposed his will on proceedings from ball one, picking the gaps with precision and striking nine boundaries to bring up the ton at a near run-a-ball pace.

His first century since returning to his home club at the beginning of last season, Larkin said it was a relief to reach the magical triple figures again.

“I was able to come in at around the 10-over mark and just go about my business really on what was a great wicket,” Larkin said.

“I was able to work the gaps well through my innings, I didn’t really hit many boundaries and don’t think I hit a six, so it was mainly about working the ball around and rotating the strike.

“Overall it was more of a relief than anything to get the hundred, I hadn’t made one in a few years, so it was nice to get that monkey off the back.”

While Larkin stole the headlines with his magical knock, he wasn’t the only Tiger to have an influence with bat in hand, with the elevated Jarrod Wakeling compiling a classy 77 at the top of the order.

Joining forces with Larkin, the pair would put on 135 for the second wicket in a partnership that took the game away from the battling Lakers.

“Funnily enough Jarrod and I have actually never batted together,” Larkin said.

“But we just had a really great understanding of where the gaps were and backed each other in to do the job.

“One thing about Jarrod is he thinks about the game really well which kept me accountable, I felt we really fed off each other and it was a pleasure to bat with him.”

Surpassing the 250-mark, the Tigers entered the second innings brimming with confidence.

But just as the conditions had suited them in the early stages, Nagambie made full use at the beginning of its innings with openers Jono Moore (41) and Dale Short (39) building a strong platform.

Sitting pretty at 2-110 and poised to make a run at the imposing Central Park total, the Lakers would be foiled by in-form spinner Mason Reeves (1-27) and debutant Haris Hassan (2-35).

“It wasn’t too much of a surprise seeing them get off to a fast start, we knew it was a good wicket and quick outfield,” Larkin said.

“But we also knew they were susceptible to a batting collapse, so we just had to be patient and in the end that paid off.

“Mason Reeves was critical again in the stemming the flow and young Haris Hassan got Luke Nolan out, so those two guys really set us off and the rest followed.”

Finishing with a flurry the Tigers would take 4-25 in the final five overs to restrict Nagambie to 9-176 from its 45 overs.

One of two teams to have three wins next to its name, Larkin said he was pleased with how his side had handled its business so far.

“The feel among the group is good, but we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.

“We are always just looking forward to the next week at the moment and growing as a group, the start to the season has been great and we just need to keep getting better.”