By MATT NICHOLLS
STEPHEN Butler’s golden form with the ball continued as he spun City to victory in the Armidale District Cricket Association on Saturday.
Butler took 6/19 in a deadly nine-over spell, leading the dismissal of Ex-Services for a paltry 65 at Harris Park.
Although missing several key players, the Services batting line-up refused to show the required discipline at the crease.
Butler had Will Green and Barry Lockwood stumped, while Cody Graham and Clarrie Moran were bowled.
Graham top scored with a blustery 21, chancing his arm on more than one occasion.
Butler’s 6/19 follows his 3/6 against Easts last week, before nabbing 4/2 against Services a fortnight earlier.
The left-arm tweaker is in career best form, having taking 24 wickets this season at an average of 9.17.
But more than half (14) of those wickets have been against Ex-Services.
Servies hasn’t shown the City skipper the required respect.
With the bat in reply, City knocked up the required runs in short time, knowing there was rain about.
Brad Smith was the only batsman dismissed, bowled by Jared Graham for 25, while Andrew Brownlie (22 not out) and Hugh Reckord (10 not out) finished the job.
Across town at the New England Mutual Sportsground, rain denied Easts a potential victory against Hillgrove.
Alexander Frost (43) and Nathan Porter (34) got Easts to a competitive total of 150 before putting the pressure on Hillgrove with the ball.
The Colts were 7/91 when it started to bucket down.
Tom Armitage (25 not out) had steadied the ship somewhat, but Easts would have felt confident of getting the job done with the ball.
The draw means Hillgrove is now guaranteed a finals berth, along with City.
Saturday’s penultimate round will have a major bearing on the ladder.
If Hillgrove can beat City at the Sportsground it could still reclaim top spot and a grand final berth, while Ex-Services and Easts will battle it out at Lambert Park for the coveted third place.
