It was the experienced batsman’s second ever century in his career, where he smashed 16 boundaries on his way to 100.
The knock proved crucial for the Bloods, who finished all out on 163 runs, with Hibberd saying it was good to notch up the personal milestone.
‘‘I actually celebrated the milestone twice,’’ he said.
‘‘When I scored a single right before tea all the boys in the shed started cheering an clapping, but at the tea break I was told that I was actually still on 97 so I still had a couple of runs to get.
‘‘I went back out and got them, but unfortunately I was out soon after.
‘‘It was a tough wicket to bat on, the pitch was slow and sticky, so I just had to be patient. I nicked one to slip which was a half chance and had an ugly LBW call go my way, but from that point I slowly made my way to triple figures.
‘‘It’s good to score a century, but it’s a bit like what Aaron Finch (first-grade Australian cricketer) said on the weekend ‘I’d rather get a duck and win than get a hundred and lose’.
‘‘I have only won three games in the past six to seven years, so I just want to get the win.’’
The Bloods won the toss against CYU on day one of the two-day match and batted first on the Eagles home deck.
The wicket, which was impacted by the much needed rain, was two paced and gave the Eagles plenty of hope early on.
Liam Benn (5/63 off 28.1) and Kieran Andrew (2/9 off nine) used the conditions to their advantage as they dominated the first hour of play. The Bloods hardly landed a blow as Reilly Rennick (0) and Hibberd (100) survived the first 10 overs.
Rennick stonewalled for a long time but eventually played a shot in anger and was caught at second slip with the score 14.
Andrew Lean (10) came in with a positive attack and hit a boundary off his first delivery, but his knock ended not long after caught at slip to have the Bloods 2/37.
Through the second hour Hibberd began to find form.
The poor ball was punished as runs began to flow.
Chase Hardwidge (one) was out with the score 51 before the major partnership of the innings was built between Hibberd and Ranji Oliver (30).
The third session belonged to Hibberd as he brought up a well made half century and runs flowed more freely.
Some big chunk overs got the score towards triple figures as the opener wracked up the boundaries. In all 16 were hit, as the personal milestone was in reach. Oliver remained patient as the pair added 84 for the fourth wicket.
At tea Hibberd was 97 but brought up the ton soon after the resumption of play. He was out soon after, bowled by Benn with the score 135. Oliver took up the lead and began to push the scoreboard along but the Bloods’ middle order began to struggle.
In a disappointing display, the Bloods capitulated late in the day to be all out for 163 losing seven wickets for 28 runs with Jack Andrew (2/32 off 19) bowling a superb leg spin spell all afternoon. It left the Bloods desperate for a late scalp to put the pressure on the hosts.
Jack Andrew (12 not out) and Ayden Latessa (eight not out) held their nerve despite some tight Bloods bowling to reach 0/21 at the close of play.
The finale looms as a tense battle on the weekend when Tocumwal make the trip to Cobram’s Scott Reserve for day two on Saturday.
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