South won the toss, with stand-in captain Josh Crowe opting to bat.

It didn’t take him long to regret that decision as Dan Lawrence and Jack McVey set about the top order with some great length bowling.

McVey took the captain’s wicket for just seven, before Lawrence got Troy Osborne to sky one to City captain Pete Mead in the sixth over for just 13.

They would end up being the top scorers as Lawrence unleashed mayhem on the middle order.

The quick took the next four wickets for only 21 runs to rout next Friday’s one-day finalists.

McVey then chipped in again to clean bowl Andrew Maher on the last ball before the drinks break and leave South stranded at 7-47.

During the drinks break, the rain started coming down and eventually stumps were called for the two-day game with City well on top.

Mead praised his two bowlers and the team’s fielding efforts.

“The boys were bowling exceptionally out there today,” Mead said.

“Lawrence was bowling full and letting the ball do the work perfectly.”

The opening bowler missed the start of the season but has since returned from overseas to hit top form.

“He never should have gone on holidays,” Mead said.

“We might be further up the table if he stayed.”

Lawrence also cleaned up in the last round of T20 games  when he went through competition leaders Old Boys at Chaffey Park.

His opening partner McVey has been the form bowler in Tamworth this season, taking plenty of scalps in both grade and representative cricket.

“It is always good with Jack down the other end,” Lawrence said.

“Like today, he bowls maidens and causes a lot of pressure.”

“He probably deserved some of my wickets today.”

The two-day game will resume next Saturday, with South looking for a big turn- around to cement  its  spot in the two-day final in a few weeks’ time.

It  will take on one and two- day points leaders Old Boys in the one-day final this Friday at No 1.