HILLGROVE is on target to win the under-16 premiership after a strong start against The Armidale School on Monday night.
Young gun Lochie Elks belted an unbeaten 78 to help his side to 2/151 after 23 overs against TAS Yellow.
He had good support from opening Angus Dawson, who knocked up 31 before being dismissed, while Darcy Jackson (20) will resume with Elks next week.
In the under-16 format, innings are split over the two days so each side bats and bowls.
TAS will need to quickly dismissed Elks and Jackson next week if they are to be any chance of making a comeback in the grand final after they finished on 4/83 from their 23 overs.
The final concludes next Monday at TAS Oval.
In the other age groups, the under-14s competition has been dominated by TAS Yellow this summer.
TAS will play either Hillgrove or Norths in the grand final on 15 and 22 Match, pending on results from this Saturday, although Norths have the advantage with an extra game up their sleeve.
In the under-12s, a three-way battle is looming this Saturday to see who plays in the grand final on 15 March.
Either CSC or Norths will make as they play each other, while Uralla must beat Hillgrove to earn its berth in the premiership decider.
There is no final in the under-10s competition and the unbeaten Hillgrove Brumbies will take honours in the 2013/14 season.
