It was a different format, with the launch of the Twenty20 rounds, but the same result for City United – another win.
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The one-time perennial strugglers underlined their ladder-leading status with a clinical defeat of West Tamworth at Riverside 2 on Saturday.
With all three first-grade matches played at Riverside, and third-grade T20 clashes the lead in to those matches, it was a high-spirited occasion.
City United, a revelation this season after making a long-awaited finals appearance last season, have now won five straight matches.
After winning the toss and batting, Wests finished on 4-136.
City passed the total on the first ball of the 18th over, with allrounder Scott Brennan (51) top-scoring.
Teenage quick Joey Mead claimed 2-16 off four overs for City United.
City skipper Brad Smith, who opened and made 26, said his side bowled “exceptionally” well.
“We’ve got a good buzz going around the club at the moment,” he said.
“All four grades won again … It’s just from the hard work that the guys have been putting in.
“Full credit to the entire club. We’re really going along well.”
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Next door, at Riverside 3, North Tamworth won their second consecutive match with a 38-run win over Bective East.
Norths won the toss and batted, finishing on 5-151, and then restricted Bective to 7-113.
Kris Halloran (45 not out) and Lincoln Peters (33) top-scored for Norths.
Aaron Madirazza (2-33 off four overs ) led the way with the ball for Bective, while Jai Tasker (2-11 off four overs) and Brad Redshaw (2-15 off four overs) were Norths’ best bowlers.
Stand-in Norths skipper Michael Rixon said the Redbacks played with a “carefree” attitude.
“Whether we got out or not, we just really tried to tick the scoreboard over,” he said.
“Lincoln Peters got us off to a flyer, put us in a good position, and then Kris Halloran played a really good knock, held the innings together, and guys like Jai Tasker [22] played a good little cameo to keep the scoreboard ticking over.”
Rixon said the T20 format suited Norths.
“We’ve got a good fielding side and some good hitters and some pretty good depth with the ball, so I think it [T20] will suit us reasonably well,” he said.
“But I think it suits other sides [as well]. Guys in Old Boys and Wests are gonna be pretty dangerous, and City has a good side. So I don’t think it’s gonna favour us more than anyone else.”
