HILLGROVE are in a strong position to lock down the coveted second spot on the Armidale District Cricket Association ladder heading into the final weekend before the finals begin.
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Easts are already through to the grand final on the weekend of March 21 and 22 and Hillgrove and City will play in the
semi-final in a fortnight’s time.
Both Hillgrove and City will be desperate to lock down second spot, which would result in advancing to the grand final if the semi was washed out by rain.
Hillgrove could only manage 148 batting first against Easts at Lambert Park on Saturday, but a devastating spell from Max Laurie late in the day has them primed for first innings points.
Michael Dawson (39) and Matt Baillie (30) got Hillgrove off to another terrific start, but as has been the case too often this season the middle order failed to capitalise on the platform set by the openers.
Hillgrove didn’t lose their first wicket until the scoreboard read 72, but were astonishingly bowled out for 148 after Matt Jackson tore through the line-up with a six wicket haul.
It isn’t the first time Jackson’s loopy off-spin has brought Hillgrove unstuck.
“We didn’t show any respect to Matt Jackson,” Hillgrove captain Brad King said. “He gets wickets all the time against us.”
Hillgrove suffered a horrific collapse of 6-23 while Jackson was causing havoc.
“Our openers batted well, but after that it was pretty disappointing,” King said.
In reply Easts slumped to 9-106 at stumps after Laurie snared 4-47. King said neither side could blame the Lambert Park deck for their poor scores.
“The wicket was really good, there was a bit of grass but not much sideways movement,” he said.
“You wouldn’t think so losing 19 wickets in one day but.”
King gave his team a rev up before they went out to bowl and it seemed to pay dividends.
“I just told them we weren’t out of it,” he said.
“Small totals can be very hard to chase.
“Max bowled really well and Lochie Elks bowled pretty quick.
“It helped getting Dean [Moore] and Todd [Francis] for ducks too.”
In an interesting feat, three Hillgrove bowlers, Laurie, Elks and Harrison King were all on hatricks, although none were successful.