As Napoleons-Sebastopol opener Ben Trew made his way through the 90s on Saturday, he was waiting for the cheer from the stands to confirm his century.
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Trew knew he was close as he edged his way to the milestone with singles until his teammates celebrated, giving him the all clear to raise the bat.
Saturday’s unbeaten 117 against Brown Hill in the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade was the 24-year-old’s maiden ton at the level.
Trew carried the bat through the innings to guide the side to an imposing score of 304.
The big score put an end to Naps-Sebas’ disappointing run with the bat, following scores of 93 and 69 in the first two rounds – Trew was facing similar troubles, with scores of 0 and 3.
Trew said as soon as the group walked out to inspect the pitch, they knew this was a deck made for batting – it was just a matter of executing.
"Once we walked out there and looked at the wicket, we said we have to pull it together, when you see a wicket like that...Jason Knowles said it was the best wicket he's seen for a few years at the Western,” Trew said.
"It was a pretty good experience, considering the last two weeks we hadn't even made over 100 (as a team).
"We all know we have the ability, it's more our mindset and application towards batting, it had been pretty poor.”
Trew, who had an interrupted 2016-17 season playing five matches across the first and second grade, said while the pitch was great, a slow outfield meant you were made to work hard for your runs.
"We didn't have a lot of confidence at stages, but once we dug in, we realised how easy it actually is and we came out with a big total.
"The ground was really slow, so you had to keep running and you're thinking ‘jeez this is going to be a long day.’
“Just after each shot and each ball, think about the team and make sure you dig in and try and stay to the end.
“It was pretty hard going, but it's always worth it if you can stay in there and bat for the 80 overs.”
Trew’s only previous centuries have come at junior level and in England where he spent six months playing as a 19-year-old.
Trew is confident the group had the bowlers to defend the impressive total, despite being on a batsmen-friendly pitch. While Naps-Sebas struggled with the bat in the opening two rounds, its bowling has been solid on the Napoleons turf.
STATE OF PLAY (after day one)
Ballarat-Redan 109, Mt Clear 4-73
East Ballarat 119, Darley 2-27
Wendouree 222, Golden Point 0-0
Napoleons-Sebastopol 304, Brown Hill 0-0
