NIC Broes fell an agonising three runs short of his maiden ACT Premier Cricket ton on Saturday, but he still had two century milestones to celebrate.
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For the second time this season, Broes and fellow Bathurst District Cricket Association graduate Blake Dean formed a triple-figures opening-wicket partnership to help guide Western District to victory.
While their latest effort did not match their record-breaking 251 run stand in round six, their 103 against ANU was nonetheless impressive.
After Dean fell Broes then formed an even bigger partnership with Western number three Alex Corver (59), that stand worth 128 runs.
Not only did it help Western District to first innings honours, it continue what has been an impressive season to date for Broes.
In his second full summer of playing in the ACT competition, Broes spent close to four hours at the crease against ANU as he spearheaded Western's chase.
After his side had dismissed ANU for 194 on the first day of their two-dayer the previous week, Broes and Dean made a handy start to the chase before stumps.
When resuming on Saturday at ANU South Oval, the runs continued to come for the pair.
Dean was the aggressor as he blasted 12 boundaries on his way to 75 off 73 deliveries in the space of 71 minutes.
It was an effort which keeps him on top of the competition's leading run scorer tally for 2020-21 - he's now scored 350 runs in across first grade this season at an average of 87.50.
After Dean departed with score on 103, Broes and Corver guided Western to first innings honours.
Broes eclipsed his previous top score for Western of 84 and looked headed for his maiden century in the competition, but it was not to be.
He was caught out for 97 after facing 145 deliveries.
The win sees Western District sitting on top of the Douglas Cup two-day ladder, four points clear of second placed Tuggeranong.
