By MATT NICHOLLS
CITY rebounded in the best possible manner from a shock loss, defeating Hillgrove with ease in the Armidale District Cricket Association on Saturday.
A brilliant knock of 96 from wicketkeeper Paul Woodford paved the way for City to post a big score of 216 at the Sportsground.
Woodford showed poise at the crease and batted deep into City’s innings before he was stumped by Josh Croft off the bowling of Scott Brennan.
Woodford put on a 62-run opening partnership with Brad Smith (26), while he combined for another 68 runs with Andrew Brownlie (27).
By the time he was stumped, City had 197 on the board.
Down on bowling stocks, Hillgrove had no answers with the ball.
Skipper Brad King rolled the arm over and picked up three key wickets to finish with 3/75 from 12 overs, while Matt Schaefer was his economical self with 3/25.
Despite some good strokeplay from Dawson at the top of the order, Hillgrove’s run chase never clicked into gear.
When Dawson was caught behind off Brownlie for 37, the Colts were 4/63.
King was the next top scorer with 16 as Brownlie and Adam Sweeny ripped through the attack to dismiss Hillgrove for 122 in the 30th over.
Paceman Sweenie and off-spinner Brownlie finished with equal figures of 4/37. It was Brownlie’s second four-wicket haul in as many matches.
At Lambert Park, a captain’s knock from Dean Moore led Easts to victory against Ex-Services.
Sam Uphill’s 4-37 restricted Servies to 132, with only opener Luke Brown (32) and Cam Mundy (27) looking comfortable at the crease.
Learning their lessons from the week earlier, where they failed to chase down 89 at the same venue, the Easts batsmen applied themselves better in the middle.
Moore’s tally of 54 gave the innings the foundation it needed, while Ben Welch (15) and Mat Treymayne (15) gave him much-needed support.
Easts passed Ex-Services in the 31st over, finishing on 7/136.
Best of the Servies bowlers was Braden Graham, who nabbed 3-21 from five overs.
