VIGOROUS fist-pumping and a triumphant leap required little explanation.

Those were the early reactions from Jamaica Scorpions batsman Paul Palmer as he notched an attractive century against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, in the drawn regional four-day cricket match at Sabina Park over the weekend.

It was the 25-year-old’s maiden hundred after 19 first class matches, made even sweeter after a calamitous start to his Scorpions career two seasons ago. Palmer, who made his first-class debut for Combined Campuses and Colleges in 2014, has captained the Scorpions this season in the absence of regular skipper Nikita Miller.

He has led the Scorpions before but that stint was a nightmare on multiple fronts. The left-hander endured a torrid time with the bat and the Scorpions struggled as a unit. He ultimately lost his place in the squad in the middle of the campaign.

“The hardships I went through in my first season prepared me for now. You go through tough times to prepare for even tougher times ahead,” Palmer told the Jamaica Observer during a post-match interview on Sunday.

“I’m quite happy I went through it and took it as I did, and really didn’t think to give up or anything like that. I’m seeing the rewards now.”

The former national youth captain was assured and fluent in his knock of 136 that helped the Scorpions to a huge, first-innings 535 all out against the Red Force.

His footwork against the spinners was particularly impressive, and wristy shots found the gaps more often than not—a far cry from the batsman who appeared overwhelmed at the crease and just could not break out of his shell two seasons ago.

“I didn’t get the start that I wanted, but so far this season I’m really doing my talent some justice. I want to keep on pushing and keep on projecting the energy in the right direction,” explained the former St Elizabeth Technical High School captain.

Palmer is the Scorpions’ top runs-scorer so far this season, with 385 in six matches. He averages 48.13 and has counted two half-centuries and the hundred against the Red Force.

“It’s a good feeling, to see where I’m coming from in terms of my debut season as captain. To come back from that and to fight from that and to get to here, I’m pretty pleased. It was tough, it wasn’t easy, but the good thing is that I’m still here and it’s not how you start but how you finish,” he told the Observer.

The Scorpions were scheduled to depart the island yesterday for St Lucia where they will take on Windward Islands Volcanoes starting Thursday. That seventh-round day/night clash will be their final outing of the calendar year.