Palmerston have claimed the 2026 DDCC Gatorade Two Day Premiership, with centuries from Cadell McMahon and Devan Vishvaka and four wickets from captain Hamish Martin securing a 65-run victory over Nightcliff at DXC Arena.
The decider featured three centuries, substantial partnerships and a late swing towards Palmerston, who dismissed Nightcliff for 283 after posting 7–348.
For Palmerston junior and NT Academy wicketkeeper-batter McMahon, it was a weekend to remember. His maiden A Grade century, an unbeaten 100 from 137 deliveries, earned him Player of the Final honours and helped turn a difficult position into a winning total.
Nightcliff had taken control with three wickets for 28 runs. Reuben Carter bowled Archit Bhatia for 38, Trent McVeigh removed Oliver Tewatiya without scoring and Charlie Smith trapped Alex Bleakley lbw for 44, leaving Palmerston 4–112.
McMahon joined Vishvaka for the defining partnership of Palmerston’s innings. The pair added 176 for the fifth wicket, rebuilding before lifting the scoring to put pressure back on the Tigers.
Vishvaka struck eight fours and two sixes in his 106 from 151 balls before falling to Nightcliff captain Niven Dovey. McMahon remained unbeaten, hitting eight fours and a six as Palmerston completed their 90 overs on 7–348.
Nightcliff’s chase suffered two early setbacks. Ben Vyver fell to his first delivery, caught by McMahon off Joseph McGann, before Tewatiya dismissed Jordan Roads for 17 to leave the Tigers 2–50.
Neil Patel led the recovery, adding 64 with Dovey before the captain was trapped lbw by Harshtik Bimbral for 30.
Patel then combined with Will Blair in a 107-run fourth-wicket partnership that kept Nightcliff firmly in the contest. Following his semi-final century, Patel again delivered under finals pressure with 102 from 181 balls.
Martin broke the stand by bowling Patel at 4–221. Carter added a brisk 21 from 19 deliveries, but his run-out through the work of Kieran Toner and McMahon proved another important moment.
From 4–250, Nightcliff lost their final six wickets for 33 runs. Martin removed Harrison Martin and McVeigh, while Toner dismissed Tom Foley and Riley Suter.
Blair continued to resist before Martin claimed the final wicket, with McMahon taking the catch to dismiss him for 89 from 146 balls and seal the premiership.
Martin finished with 4–77 and Toner took 2–60. McMahon added two catches and involvement in Carter’s run-out to his unbeaten century, completing an outstanding contribution with bat and gloves.
Head of Clubs and Competitions, Karl Mayne, said the grand final reflected the quality of cricket played across the weekend.
“The A Grade Grand Final showcased the absolute best of two-day cricket, delivering a hard-fought, thrilling decider in front of passionate supporter groups from both sides,” Mayne said.
“Three outstanding centuries, headlined by a maiden first-grade hundred from NT Academy player and Player of the Final Cadell McMahon, reflected the exceptional quality on display across the weekend.
“At 5/250, Nightcliff were right in the hunt, but Palmerston’s composure and experience under pressure proved decisive in securing a memorable premiership.
“A huge thank you to the entire Darwin cricket community for making it such a fantastic season, which has continued to elevate the Top End as Australia and East Asia’s premier winter cricket destination.”
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