Panthers strike 

Saturday's 40-over mid-year title match at Sunset Oval saw Panthers bat first and post a colossal 8-316 thanks to Archie MacPherson's second ton of the year.

MacPherson produced the Mount Isa Cricket Association's highest score of the season, belting 147 from just 101 balls.

He and opening partner Brendan Parker (34) put on an incredible stand worth 196 runs, before the latter was finally dismissed in the 29th over.

From there the Panthers middle order was able to take the final 10 overs for more than 100 runs, giving themselves a superb target to defend.

As good as MacPherson's batting was, Townview's usually economical bowling was equally as poor, leaking 56 sundries.

Wily veteran Az Germaine finished with 5-63, but only Cody Tully (0-17 off 4 overs) went for less than a run-a-ball.

In reply Townview started gamely, with Bill Baillie and Luke Iles accelerating to 0-41 from the first five overs.

Iles would depart with the score on 41, only to be followed by the key wickets of Baillie (42) and Tully (0) before the first drinks break.

Tyrone Coetzee (22) fell soon after, before the innings collapsed sensationally to see the Twenty20 champions castled inside 23 overs.

Townview lost 6-16, as Luke Graefe and Steve Andrews shared the spoils for Panthers.

Graefe joined Germaine in taking five (5-38) wickets while Andrews snared 4-26 at the other end.

The match occasionally threatened to boil over, with several contentious moments, but it was a richly deserved title for Panthers who have improved out of sight over the past 12 months.

For Townview it was its second loss in as many matches after going through much of the season undefeated.

Mount Isa Cricket Association fixtures return to normal next weekend.

PANTHERS 8-316 (A. MacPherson 147, B. Parker 34 and A. Germaine 5-63) defeated TOWNVIEW 121 (B. Baillie 42, L. Graefe 5-38 and S. Andrews 4-26)