Former Zimbabwean international Vusi Sibanda turned back the clock for Eastlake, posting his first century in ACT Premier Cricket in Saturday's final regular round clash with ANU.
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Sibanda's 170 sees the Demons in a strong position to qualify for the Douglas Cup finals, as they finished up all out for 330.
The 37-year-old entered the crease at 3-34, with Eastlake in a hole after the dismissal of opener Oliver Blayney-Brown.
But his positive approach at the crease made light work of ANU's bowling attack, scoring his 170 off just 169 balls, which included nine sixers.
"Obviously delighted to put the team in a commanding position and it was not that easy though to be honest," Sibanda said.
"I had to take my chances, I wasn't going to go out there and not be positive, a bit of luck involved as well.
"It was a tough wicket, and I took my chances, which paid off."
Sibanda also combined with keeper Tom Kellar for a 148-fourth-wicket partnership, before Kellar was caught on 45.
Eastlake will now be looking to their bowlers to back up Sibanda's effort next weekend, as a first innings win will guarantee the Demons a finals berth.
Opening quick Hayden Page began the charge for the Demons, taking two early wickets to see ANU 2-15 at stumps.
"The boys have been working hard, trying to get the game going and it's good to see them coming together as a unit," Sibanda said.
"I do believe we are playing well; it is a fairly young side, and it is all coming good at the right time.
"They are starting to understand the game itself, which is really good to see and it is good to see them applying themselves to batting and bowling and all facets of the game."
Meanwhile, Ginninderra have mounted pressure on Eastlake to get the job done next weekend, having knocked over North Canberra-Gungahlin for just 144.
18-year-old quick Will Perkins took figures of 4-56, combining with Ethan Fitzpatrick (3-56) and Jak Willcox (2-42), with the latter now the all-time leading first grade wicket taker at Ginninderra.
The Tigers then went into bat and finished up at stumps on 5-290, taking a commanding 146-run lead into stumps, seeing them within a sniff of claiming an outright win. Opener Owen Chivers blasted 112 before being given lbw to Lachlan Whatmough, and skipper Rhys Healy contributed an important 71 before spinner Finlay McGurk snuck one through his gate.
Ginninderra require all 10-points from this fixture to be within a chance of making the top four.
At Stirling Oval, Weston Creek Molonglo are 9-329 at stumps against Queanbeyan.
The Bluebags require victory to as well stay in finals contention, with Creek battling it out with Western District and Tuggeranong Valley for the minor premiership.
