Triebe cuts a swathe through Barbarians

Triebe finished with 9-20 and was a standout in the match.

Armidale District Cricket Association president Mike Porter umpired the match and said Triebe’s bowling was the difference in an otherwise fairly even contest.

"It is a long time since 9-20 has been achieved in Armidale,” he said. 

"He bowled very well.

With the bat, Peter Lye top scored for City with 55 in the 64 run victory.

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 lost the toss and were sent into bat by the Barbarians, which proved to be difficult for the side. 

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. 

In the other game a dominant batting performance by opener Jack Biddle and a five-wicket haul from debutant Mitchell Gwynne helped Easts secure the points against Ex-Services.

Easts opened the batting with Biddle, who scored 72 runs in the 133-run victory. 

The defending premiers started with a win but captain Sam Uphill said it wasn’t quite up to the standard they hoped for. 

“We were a bit scratchy with our batting,” he said.  

"We scrambled pretty well to get to 200 with a couple of late scores but we did well.

"Jack Biddle batted really well at the top of the order, he set it up for us. 

"We just lost regular wickets, we didn't really bat well in partnerships but you expect that early into the season.” 

The loss of a few key players from last season’s premiership winning side saw a few young players step up to first grade.

"We have a fairly new and young side,” Uphill said. 

"We didn't have too many expectations and it was just good to get away with the win.”

Uphill was impressed with Gwynne’s performance in his first stint in the top grade. 

"He bowled well,” he said.

“He was a bit nervous, he bowled a few wides, it was his first grade debut so he did really well there.”

Uphill hopes his side will back up their first round win and put together consistent performances. 

"Just getting the same side on the paddock as many times as we can,” he said. 

"As long as we can do that, the results will come.