IN-FORM Kendal captain Stu Parkin admits the sheen of a maiden career hat-trick was only slightly tarnished by his side’s failure to overcome St. Annes at Shap Road.

Defending just 109, a fast start in the field was crucial, with Parkin removing visiting skipper Andy Kellet, Lukman Vahaluwala and Matthew Taafe to leave St. Annes reeling at 1-3.

And despite reaching the milestone for the first time, the 33-year-old insists he was so absorbed in the game the thought of a hat-trick did not even figure on his radar.

“Unfortunately, in the end the hat-trick was to no avail which is disappointing, similar to when a batsman scores a hundred or in different circumstances a bowler takes five wickets,” he said.

“We knew only getting 108 we needed to take early wickets and what better way to set ourselves up and give ourselves half a chance than to have them 1-3.

“I didn’t even realise I’d done it to be honest which was a bit strange but I was so engrossed in the cricket.

“I was that focussed even though it was the first time it had happened in my career.

“I’ve been on hat-tricks twice before but never managed to get over the line but my family were at the ground sponsoring the game so perhaps that spurred me on.

“It would have been nice to win to top it off but I suppose nothing gets taken away too much, it was great but obviously the result wasn’t the best.”

This was not the only remarkable showing at Shap Road over the weekend as 24 hours later New Zealand professional Jamie How smashed a remarkable 169 not out against Penrith, a knock which included 12 sixes.

While he believes such an innings is a measure of the man, Parkin also chose to point to the contribution of Richard Herron who opened the innings and scored 90.

“It was a fantastic innings and Jamie batted brilliantly but to a point that’s his job,” added Parkin.

“We all know what Jamie is capable of. He sets himself high targets which is great from a batting professional –he’s not happy with a hundred, he wants to get more.

“I personally think he is capable of a 200 from a 50-over game. He is coming into some nice form so hopefully that can continue into July when we come to play some of the more important games.

“But for me, a better innings was probably young Richard Herron’s. He supported Jamie in doing what he did – those runs couldn’t have been scored if wickets were falling at the other end.”