By MATT NICHOLLS
A SUPERB century by Michael Dawson and two great spells of bowling paved the way for Hillgrove’s crushing victory in the Armidale District Cricket Association on Saturday.
The Colts blasted 2/268 against Ex-Services at the sportsground and backed it up with the ball to dismiss Servies for just 60 in 15 overs.
Opening quicks Lochlan Elks and Cameron Wood were the only bowlers required, ripping through the Ex-Services order in style.
Elks finished with 6/40 off his seven overs, while Wood nabbed 4/28 off eight.
The match was set up by a brilliant Dawson century, though.
The opening batsman scored his second ton of the season with a knock of 119 that included a six and 15 boundaries.
He also managed to carry his bat through the innings, finishing unbeaten after Hillgrove’s allotted 45 overs.
Dawson had support in the middle from fellow opener Josh Croft, who scored 50 in a first-wicket partnership of 118, while Matt Schaefer hit nine boundaries in his knock of 61 and put on 141 with Dawson for the second wicket.
Hillgrove skipper Brad King, who wasn’t required with bat or ball, said his batsmen deserved credit for the victory.
“I was pretty firm with them that we had to bat out our 45 overs this week and they did that,” he said.
“The wicket was pretty slow and you had to be patient to get runs.”
King said 18-year-old Dawson and 16-year-old Elks were the next generation of Hillgrove stars.
“They are really good kids who have really bright futures,” he said.
Across town at Harris Park, Englishman Ben Welch put on a man-of-the-match performance to lead Easts to a 65-run win against City.
Welch’s opening knock of 117 gave Easts a handy total of 214 and he helped defend it by taking 3/22 with his off-spinners.
City was dimissed for 149 in reply, with Andrew Brownlie top-scoring with 64.
Skipper Steve Butler added 23, but his side never looked like reeling in Easts’ total.
Sam Uphill claimed a couple of key early wickets to finish with 3/40 from his 12 overs, while Sam Constance nabbed 2/31 off 10.
