Petrie smashed the Mildura West bowling attack all over the park at the Aero Ovals on Saturday as he piled on 172.

After their 80 overs, Workers finished at stumps on day one with the score at 6/370 thanks to Petrie’s highest score for the Sunraysia Cricket Association season.

The Workers-Gol Gol captain’s innings on the weekend was his highest score and his second division one century after he made 107 last season.

“I got 140 in the thirds but that certainly doesn’t count compared to making a ton in first division. It’s pretty special,” Petrie said.

“It felt fantastic, it doesn’t happen too often so it was pretty special and it’s certainly one I’ll cherish for sure.

“To make that score is probably once in a lifetime so you’ve got to enjoy it when it happens.”

Since the Christmas break, Petrie has been in top-form with 276 runs in his last three innings at the staggering average of 138.

“You never expect to make a big hundred, you don’t go into a game thinking ‘I’m going to make a ton’ but things fell my way,” he said.

“There were a couple of early chances and luck was on my side.

“My form was OK but it certainly didn’t warrant 170, but I’ll take it.”

Petrie shared a 143-run partnership with youngster Aidan Calarco (57) for the third wicket as the Workers made the highest score for division one cricket this season.

With Calarco starring with the bat this week, Petrie highlighted the young talent out at Alcheringa Oval after Ryan McClure made 93 with the willow last round.

“Aiden batted up the order at number four, made 50-odd and looked really good,” he said.

“We’re really proud of those two boys at the moment.”

For the second week in a row, the Workers were able to post scores in excess of 300 to show that they will be a force come finals.

Petrie said it was pleasing to see the batting group gel together at the most important time of the season with finals approaching.

“We’re happy with the momentum that we’re gaining and we’re happy with our form,” he said.

Petrie said he was confident his side would be able to defend the mammoth score this weekend.

“It is a big score but they’ve got a couple of quality bats that can make hundreds and have made hundreds,” he said.

“You go into the game confident but not arrogant or cocky about it, but we should be able to defend it.”

This article appeared in Thursday's Sunraysia Daily 2-2-2012.