While City skipper Stephen Butler admits his side is in a prime position heading into the second day of their fixture with Servies, an outright would still be a tough assignment.

“We are looking pretty strong,” he said.

“The good weather should give us a pretty flat wicket to bat on too.

“The first thing is getting the runs and then we will look at things like an outright and run rate.”

City are already assured to meet Hillgrove in next weekend’s semi-final, but the two are still desperately jostling for second spot on the ladder in case of a wash-out in the semi-final.

If the rain strikes and the semi-final was abandoned, whoever finished second on the ladder would advance to play minor premiers Easts in the grand final.

City did their bit to stake their claim for the spot during day one of the final round.

They bundled Servies out for 126 inside 43 overs and were 2-38 in reply at stumps.

The two men out Butler (8) and Hugh Reckord (6) are both unavailable this weekend.

Brad Smith will captain the side in Butler’s absence.

Andrew Skinner [3-2 from six overs] and Matt Morrow [2-2] were the main destroyers for City with the ball.

“Andrew Skinner bowled really well, so did Matt Morrow,” Butler said.

“Karl [Triebe] came back on and clean up the tail.

“I was very proud of the boys.”

Butler said he would talk tactics with Smith before the weekend, but ultimately trusts his replacement to make the tough decisions tomorrow.

“We have to bowl them out again if we want an outright,” Butler said.

“I an ideal world we would go out and get another 120, which would leave them 40 behind and then try and bowl them out again quickly.”

City have had hard luck with the rain this season, with a number of their games washed out when they were in dominant positions, including the one-day final against Easts.

“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what happens this weekend if it doesn’t rain next weekend,” Butler said.

“I’m not too alarmed if we finish third.

“In saying that, I don’t want our season to be finished by run-rate.” 

City trail Hillgrove for second spot on run-rate.