City sits on 5/156 after bowling Servies for 107 in the Armidale and District Cricket Association competition at Lambert Park on Saturday.

Servies’ Josh Smith represented well and came up with the only six for Saturday’s play.

But while Servies’ batsmen Josh Smith, Liam Smith and Scott Graham managed 20, 27 and 29 runs respectively, City’s arms kept the rest of the Servies line up at seven runs or less.

The side’s batting attempts were fraught at the hands of City’s Adam Murrell.

The bowler stamped his mark firmly on the match with 7/56, a maiden and a wicket maiden all in a day’s work.

Armidale City captain Andrew Brownlie said he was happy with the first innings.

He said Murrell’s seven wickets certainly made him a standout for the day.

“It was good to get a win up on the first day,” he said.

When Servies got their hand on the ball Josh Smith made short work of a couple of wickets, as did Luke and Dom Brown claiming one apiece.

City continued to answer though with Angus Reckord producing a string of fours to finish up on 52 runs.

Batsmen Andrew Skinner and Christian Girard were also assets on the City side with Skinner making 26 and Girard making 22 runs.

Brownlie said City would now look to get some quick runs on the board and go for the outright win.

He said a big win in the second round would set the side up with some confidence to head into the next round against Hillgrove - the team he believes will be the ones to keep an eye on this season.