IN the lead-up to his side's match against Jeparit on Saturday, Kiata captain Nathan Alexander said the ladder-leader would zero in on danger man Adrian King.
It didn't work.
King flayed the Kiata bowling attack to all corners of the park on his way to a personal high 132 runs, with the home side batting all day to post a dominant 7-213.
Mick Preston and Graeme Grinter finished the day unbeaten for Jeparit, finishing on 14 and one respectively.
King labelled the display one of his best batting performances and said his team was in a strong position to win next weekend.
"It was a good day," he said.
"I just waited for the loose ball and took advantage of it."
He said his side was feeling pretty good after day one.
"We've got the runs on the board, but cricket's a strange game and they've got a good batting line-up so you never know what can happen."
Bowler Nathan Alexander battled hard on a grim day for Kiata, finishing with figures of 3-21 from 12 overs, which included King's wicket.
Peter Hedt and wicket-keeper Trevor Polkinghorne also played well for the visitors, with the pair combining twice for the stumpings of Jeparit top-order batsmen Trevor James and Tom Crowhurst.
In the other West Wimmera fixture, Winiam finished the day on 0-11 after Nhill posted a first innings total of 181.
Ashley Dickinson made a vital 69 for the Tigers, which were floundering at 4-24 when he came to the crease.
The Nhill batting line-up continued to crumble around Dickinson however.
The home side had slumped to 7-53 when number nine batsman Zachary Webb joined Dickinson in the middle.
Dickinson made 40 crucial runs as the pair put on a partnership of 67 to steady the Tigers.
Batting at number 10, David Harris contributed a handy 27 to Nhill's total, as the home side surged late to produce a respectable score.
Nathan Sparling was the best of the bowlers for Winiam, claiming three wickets, while Brodie Cramer bowled well to finish with 2-28 from 12 overs.
