By MATT NICHOLLS
A BLAZING century from Brad Smith led City to a resounding victory against Easts in the Armidale and District Cricket Association on Saturday.
Smith smashed 19 boundaries as he carried his bat through City’s innings to finish unbeaten on 115.
He helped his team finish on 4/255 after strong support in the middle order from acting captain Andrew Brownlie.
When Brownlie strode to the crease at 2/60, the game was still well and truly in the balance at the Sportsground.
But a 191-run stand between him and Smith for the third wicket took the game away from Easts.
Brownlie fell agonisingly short of a century himself.
When he chopped a Henry Cupitt delivery onto his stumps he was on 96. The knock included a six and 14 boundaries.
Easts struggled to find the right line and length against Smith and Brownlie, who were able to score around five runs per over against the likes of Sam Uphill, Sam Constance and Cupitt.
Spinner Ben Welch, who was leading the competition wicket tally heading into the match, was also taken to the cleaners.
His seven overs conceded 58 runs, which included five wides.
Easts had no answers in reply to the big run chase and lost wickets at regular intervals to lose momentum.
Opener Dean Moore got off to a reasonable start, but when he was dismissed for 40, his teammates down the order showed little resistance.
Uphill played some nice strokes to knock up 28, but the next top scorer for Easts was the extras column, which produced 19 runs.
Rumman Hassan was the pick of the City bowlers, finishing with 3/18.
He made the most of a tight opening spell from Karl Triebe (2/26) and Adam Sweeny (1/21).
The win moved City to equal top spot on the first grade ladder, with Hillgrove only maintaining the advantage on aggregate.
