Ex-Services captain John Elliot wanted his side to show more “fight” in their round two encounter against Easts after collapsing in the opening game against City.
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Against the competition favourites, Elliot’s side delivered.
They only reached 74 on a soggy pitch but Elliot said the Servies batsmen made Easts work for the wickets.
“Andy Bartik's performance, he only scored 25 but that was the equivalent to maybe a 50 in that type of outfield,” he said.
“When we were two down with the bat, Ben Spence went out there and consolidated.
“He only got three runs but in that time he consolidated and we didn't lose wickets in clumps like we did against City.”
After being bowled out, Servies hit back and tore through Easts for 58.
“I thought on that pitch 120 would have been defendable but we were pretty short of that,” Elliot said.
“Then I thought if we got out there and were upbeat in the field, we could see if we could jag a few early wickets and we did.”
Led by Josh Targett who claimed Easts’ three openers, Servies’ bowlers ensured their round one performance with the bat was all but forgotten.
Elliot said there were patches when the team looked like faltering but they quickly re-grouped and muscled up.
“I was really happy with our fielding, I think that was the best we fielded in a long time and it was spilling on from the last game because we didn't drop a catch last game,” he said.
“One of many little fights we had throughout the game, as far as staying in the fight and matching it with Easts, there was a period where me and Josh Targett were on top but Todd Francis was trying to get on top.
“I thought if we don't get him sooner or later, we are going to be in trouble but we managed to stay in the fight.
“The old fellas – Brad Widders and Pete Collins – brought it home for us and finished it off.”
Meanwhile in the other Armidale cricket games, City and Hillgrove scored wins.
City has been a dominant force so far this season with the side’s bowlers paving the way again against Guyra.
Karl Triebe and Dylan Yeomans picked up three wickets each as Guyra was all out for 79 before Michael Allen and captain Kyle Taylor reached the target after just two wickets had fell.
Hillgrove was just as strong as City as the side easily dismissed Barbarians on Saturday.
Max Laurie was scintillating again with the ball, taking 6-35 against the Baa Baas while Will Archer claimed two and a run out to leave their opponents with a total of 45. Matt Baillie and Bentley Cropper made light work of the Barbarians’ total, chasing it down in less than eight overs.
