ARMIDALE
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HILLGROVE Colts celebrated some contrasting Armidale District Cricket Association grand final results yesterday.
While their first-rade side beat minor premiers Easts by 20 runs at Armidale Sportsground to win the major title, its second-grade side drew with TAS at Lambert Park and its third-grade lost their grand final to Barbarians by seven wickets at Rologas.
Hillgrove’s third-graders made just 102 and Barbarians passed them three wickets down to win that crown while the second-grade was a draw with the first-grade title won by a side who batted first and made 188 on Saturday.
Michael Dawson continued his impressive end-of-season batting form by smacking 81 for Hillgrove, while skipper Brad King (25) also chipped in.
Easts’ skipper Sam Uphill (4-48), Sam Constance (3-31) and Todd Francis (2-27) grabbed wickets for a side which struggled in the run chase against some tight bowling.
Matt Jackson (36) and Ben Hanlan (32) led the way early before Tom Toshack, the 12th man, made a gallant late run , finishing unbeaten on 49.
The Hillgrove bowlers shared the wickets with Matt Schaefer (2-21), skipper Brad King (2-30) and opening bowler Max Laurie (2-30) all grabbing key wickets.
“We shared them around, bowled well,” Brad King said.
“We were also helped by an early run-out. Dean (Moore) and Nathan Porter were going for a second run and ran into each other,” King said.
“We ran out Deano. That was a big break early, and we thought we had Todd (Francis) caught behind early too, but then we did get him for not many. They were their two key wickets. Jacko, Benny Hanlan and Tom Toshack batted well though. Toshack batted well late.”
Easts’ skipper Sam Uphill was a disappointed man.
“We were in it for a long way,” he said.
“Matty Jackson batted well and Tom Toshack batted real well at the end. He came in for Shane Collins who did a hamstring on Saturday.
“It’s still been a good season for us though, something we can build on.”
Brad King had a similar positive outlook to next season as well.
“It was good today, pretty much everyone contributed with the bat and ball,” he said.
“This is a handy, young team. They can only get better and better.”
Hillgrove Colts conduct their presentation night at Armidale Bowling Club this Friday night, while the Armidale District Cricket Association’s award presentations will be made at Armidale Sportsground on Sunday afternoon.