NATHAN Hicks cracked a second successive century to set Stoke Gabriel on course for a 103-run win over Chelston & Kingskerswell.

Aussie all-rounder Hicks took 117 off Bridestowe in the first round of fixtures and picked up where he left off against Chelston & Kingskerswell,

In the final tally of 263 for three, Hicks carried his bat for 185.

There was a stand of 160 for the first wicket with Mark Newman (39) and another of 91 with George Smith (19).

Neal Kanabar, who also made a ton against Bridestowe was out of luck this time – was run out by Paul Harding for one.

Four an over was respectable among the C&KK bowling – and Harding’s nine overs for 19 runs stuck out like a sore thumb.

Messers Duke, Bennett and Harrison all had a bit of tap when their turn came.

The visitors meandered along to 160 for six and four bonus batting points before the overs ran out.

Captain Mark Faulkner made a top score of 31, wondering more than once while he was out there if the game would have been different had he not dropped Hicks in the 60s.

“He is a top-drawer opener and shelling him didn’t help,” said Faulkner.

Vivek Kulkarni made 30 before becoming the fourth and final scalp for man of the man Hicks (4-21).

Stole skipper Jack Tolley, who bowled nine overs for just 20 runs, said his side had such a big total all C&KK could do was damage limitation.

“After mark Faulkner got out, they just looked to get to 160 and not give us any more points, but we will be more than happy with 18 points every week,” said Tolley.