A brilliant bowling display by Karl Triebe secured Armidale City cricket club’s first victory of the season over newcomers to first grade, the Barbarians.
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Triebe finished with 9-20 and was a standout in the match.
With the bat, Peter Lye top scored for City with 55 in the 64 run victory.
Armidale District Cricket Association president Mike Porter umpired the match and said it was an even contest but Triebe’s bowling proved the difference.
"It is a long time since 9-20 has been achieved in Armidale,” he said.
"He bowled very well.
"It was a pretty even match other than that, it was just a spectacular performance.”
City’s captain Adam Sweeney said Triebe was just “too good” for the opposition.
"It was impressive, something special,” he said.
"I have never seen something like it before.”
City struggled in the opening stages of the match after they lost the toss and were sent into bat by the Baa Baas.
Wicket’s fell early before Lye came to the crease and put on a performance which helped the side secure the win.
"Peter Lye came in when we were about four or five down and he really steered the ship,” Sweeney said.
"[He got] a hard-fought 55, it was a really good innings.
"He got us out of a lot of trouble. We were looking to be bowled out pretty cheaply. Adam Rosser hung around for a while, they put on a pretty solid partnership.”
Barbarians entered their innings with 137 runs to chase down.
They were bowled out for 73 with Brad Rafferty top scoring with 38.
Porter said while they didn’t get the win, the team can take plenty away from their first match in the top grade.
"Baa Baas were in their first game in first grade, they have a long way to go but it is all a big learning curve for them,” Porter said.
"They have never been in first grade for a club, or a team.
"You can't knock guys who want to play first grade.
"They didn't go that well in first grade but their second grade had a very strong win so they have some backup there which is good.”
All clubs have lost players for the 2016/17 season and Porter said it is going to be tough to pick a winner.
"It is going to be a more even competition this year because Easts have lost four or five of their last year's first grade, Hillgrove have lost three of their last year's first grade, Servies have lost three and City lost their two top players.,” he said.
Barbarians have the bye this Saturday and City take on Ex-Services at the sportsground.