After struggling for much of the opening half of the season, City have won both their matches in 2016, including Saturday’s confidence-boosting victory over one-day premiers Easts.

“Two from two this year,” City skipper Stephen Butler said.

“I know we played a pretty depleted Easts side, but we really needed those points.”

Butler won the toss and sent Easts in on a rain-affected deck at the Armidale Sportsground.

Easts were in trouble from the outset as Karl Triebe and Butler ran riot.

Triebe continued his brilliant start to 2016 with a devastating spell that included the key wicket of Todd Francis [10] on his way to figures of 3-26 from 12 overs.

While Triebe did his damage with raw pace, Butler spun up a storm, his left-arm orthodox snaring 4-30 from 9.1 overs.

“Karl is doing a lot of things right at the moment,” Butler said.

“I was happy with the way I bowled as well.”

None of dangerous Easts’ top four passed 10 and they were eventually bowled out for just 104 in 35 overs.

After losing Christian Girard [7] cheaply, Brad Smith [37] and Kyle Taylor [36] produced a match-winning second wicket partnership.

“Brad is batting with a lot of confidence and freedom at the moment,” Butler said.

“He and Kyle are the really key wickets for us.”

City lost a handful of wickets late, but held on for a comfortable four-wicket victory.

“We lost a few late, but that was simply trying to get the last six runs in one hit,” Butler said.

The City skipper believes his side may be shaping for something special late in the day.

“We have decent enough players that love the big stage,” Butler said.

“You play all year to play finals.”

“I think every club in this competition has their own weakness, we just have to exploit them.”