Cal Dill Jr. hopes that his first ever league century on Sunday is a sign of things to come this season.

Dill, of Bailey's Bay, struck a superb unbeaten 104 in the drawn Premier Division game at Lord's against St. David's, and he admits it was his best batting display since he became a club `regular' four seasons ago.

Sunday's ton was just the lift Dill needed to boost his career, and the 23-year-old says he's now setting his sights on more ambitious goals -- such as representing Bermuda at the ICC Trophy in Malaysia in 1977 and playing in Cup Match.

After a slow start to the season, Dill exploded for his best performance at the Premier level.

"I discovered that patience is the name of the game,'' he said yesterday.

"I've worked hard in the nets on my defence and being patient, and it all seemed to work out on Sunday.

"The ball came on to the bat quite fast. It definitely was a bowler's wicket at Lord's. It's just that I had to concentrate on playing the good balls and hit the bad ones.'' Dill rallied to a late call by skipper Chris Smith to open the batting with Smith after Ricky Hill arrived at the field later than expected and preferred not to open. Dill accepted the challenge without hesitation.

Having been promoted to the position on two previous occasions this season when he scored 48 and 28, he had no doubts about his ability as an opener.

"We just went out there and did what we had to do. Dale Fox was pushing the ball through quite quickly on a wicket that had a green top on it, but we just hung in there, stayed behind the ball and kept a close eye on things,'' recalled Dill.

He and his skipper put on 73 before Smith was bowled by Fox, but Dill continued to push along the score and when Bay declared at 252 for three he had reached the three-figure mark, hammering 11 fours and five sixes during a stay of about 120 minutes.

"It was definitely my best batting display. I haven't scored a century since I played in the Evening League back in 1989. I'm hoping the century will give my batting the boost I was looking for.

"I am not bothered by opening. I did it when I played in the Shell Youth Tournament. But when I joined Bay I had to bat down the order because there were so many talented batsmen ahead of me. Now I'm grateful to get the chance to bat earlier.'' Having helped Bay win four major trophies last season, Dill confessed that this time around, while he's also keen to see his team retain their trophies, he's set some high personal goals.

He believes he can earn both a place in the national team and in the annual Cup Match classic.

"I certainly would love to play for Bermuda in the ICC Trophy in two years time -- that would be awfully nice. Cup Match is another thing I am looking at, probably with St. George's but one never knows,'' he declared.

"I have never attempted to make it with either Cup Match team, but I'll definitely give it a try this year.

"I know there are more runs coming from my bat this season, I just know it.'' ONE TO WATCH -- Cal Dill is looking for more runs this season in a bid to win both Cup Match and national team honours.