Heading into the second day of the clash between Armidale Cricket’s first grade heavyweights, there wasn’t much between Hillgrove and Easts as the pair battled in a grand final re-match.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Easts had made 202 from their innings with Hillgrove finishing the day at 1-13.
After missing the first day of the encounter, Easts’ leading wicket-taker Sam Uphill returned, and did so in formidable style.
Uphill landed another five wickets to bring his season total to 16, as his side dismissed the highly-fancied Hillgrove batting line-up for 101.
With 40 overs left in the day, they ended the match which handed Easts first innings points.
“I don't think there was much chance of them forcing a result because 100 runs behind with 40 overs to go in the day, there probably wasn't enough to bowl us out and catch whatever we made,” Easts’ skipper Todd Francis said.
“That is probably why we had an early mark.”
Francis credited his bowling line-up with Uphill’s 5-49 from 18 overs, Brandon Burey contributing with 1-30 from eight and Francis finishing with 3-11.
“We keep relying on them heavily week-in, week-out, and they keep doing the job,” he said.
“It was good to have Uppy [Uphill] back, he bowled really well and was supported by Brando [Burey] early on.
“Brando hasn't had too much opportunity this year because we have been rolling through sides but he bowled really well. He is one of those bowlers who gets you a wicket when you need it, very handy to have in your side.”
As well as the side’s bowlers getting the job done, Francis said they stepped up in the field.
“We didn't drop too many catches either,” he said.
“Our fielding in the first two games was probably sub-par, especially the game against City so we bounced back in the field a bit.
“At the moment our bowling is just clicking.
“They [Hillgrove] started to form a couple of little partnerships which we knew they would do but we just kept plugging away and eventually broke them.”
Easts sit back this weekend with the bye as the competition heads into the one-day format.
“It is always good to have a break, we have had a few on the hop there. It gives Jackson [Gwynne] and Uppy a bit of a break from bowling and see what we come up with the week after,” Francis said.
