Northerners come up second best against Waaia despite Zavier Davidson’s dashing ton

The youngster’s wicket was the last to fall at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve, with the Jets coming up 133 runs short of the Bombers’ ludicrous score of 334 set the week prior.

Northerners walked off the ground at 6-201 with Davidson making more than half of the runs, a valiant attempt considering no side had put more than 200 on the board against Waaia this season.

Still, Mitch Cleeland’s side is yet to taste defeat.

Saturday’s victory was a chief example of why Waaia is billed as the competition favourite, nipping a momentum-fuelled Northerners in the bud before the Jets could get cracking.

Brayden Summerville removed the first two wickets early and the Bombers probably had another bat in mind with an outright win up for grabs.

Then came Davidson.

Trotting in at six, the teenager showed poise far beyond his years as he grounded Northerners’ innings, gelling at the crease with Bayden Hutchins.

He and Hutchins proved to be a thistle in Waaia’s foot, refusing to leave with Davidson scoring freely while the Jets’ opener soaked up the pressure.

The duo provided serious pushback, but with Hutchins departing for 34 off 179 balls, Northerners needed to up the ante.

Davidson carried on his work alongside skipper Stuart Turner, but the required run rate began to skyrocket, and eventually the load became too great to bear for the young batter.

Waaia spinner Quinton Venter forced Davidson into a mistake on 107, and rather than go guns blazing in search of a miracle, Turner and number eight Jake Davidson chose instead to hold on to their wickets and see out the afternoon.

Summerville finished with figures of 3-38 and Venter was also handy, closing out with 2-50.

The loss ― Northerners’ first since October ― relegates the side out of finals contention while, unsurprisingly, Waaia keeps its post at the summit.