Old Boys skipper Ben Middlebrook again marvelled at Aaron Hazlewood's ability to produce with both bat and ball after the allrounder starred as they wrapped up first innings points on the opening day of their two-dayer against City United at No.1 Oval.
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After leading the charge with 4-21 as they steamrolled the competition leaders for just 66, Hazlewood finished unbeaten on 29 in their reply of 4-75.
"He's been one of the best players in the last decade in town," Middlebrook said.
"He just continually performs."
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Zac Craig (2) will pick up Old Boys' innings with Hazlewood next week after Corey Sommers and Jack Richards both made 13 in dogged knocks with batting not easy. Jack McVey and Tait Jordan particularly made life difficult for the batsmen early.
Jordan (15) had, along with Scott Brennan (24no) earlier saved City from a potentially even more disastrous first innings. They were in peril at 6-10 when they came together after a brilliant burst with the new ball from Hazlewood and Troy Sands (3-15).
"They were really really good; Troy and Aaron, kept the pressure on and didn't allow them to get away," Middlebrook said.
They were backed up by some good fielding, taking "some good catches".
Jordan and Brennan briefly slowed the rot with a 26-run partnership but the damage had been done.
Middlebrook was pretty happy to have first crack with the ball on what looked a good wicket.
"I was actually going to have a bowl but the boys said if I won the toss and bowled I'd be the only one fielding out there," he joked.
"Luckily I lost the toss."
It was a fruitful day with Old Boys also picking up a batting bonus point on top of the first innings points and the four bowling bonus points for taking 10 wickets with the bonus point system for the two-dayers having changed this season.
They are now awarded for the first innings instead of the second.
"The first goal yesterday was to make sure we got at least one bonus point (you get one for 75 runs) and chased down their runs," Middlebrook said.
In the other game, Bective-East will resume at 1-13 after dismissing North Tamworth for 157 late in the day. The Redbacks were looking at about 130 before Brad Redshaw (24) provided a late boost.
He was their equal second top-scorer with Michael Rixon, Brendan Rixon their best with 29.
After striking the first blow, Josh Howison cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-40. Kurt Barton also chimed in with 2-28, Will Burke, Harry Morrow and skipper Jye Paterson sharing the other wickets.
