City, currently sitting sixth out of seven teams, will look to improve their 1-1-2 record when they clash with Western Suburbs this weekend. 

City skipper Matt Trappel lamented last weekend’s match against Thornton Park, where rain resulted in a draw after his side had set a strong 194-run target. 

“Unfortunately the rain came through when we were in a good position,” Trappel said. 

“It’s left us with one win from the season so far.”

Trappel said the next two matches – against Wests and then Norths – would be “critical” in the side climbing into the top four. 

“One of our downfalls has been that we haven’t been able to field our strongest team. Hopefully we can get a full strength team this weekend and set a good platform with bat or ball,” he said. 

He’s confident that a form reversal isn’t too far away for the City side. 

“We’re not far away, we still haven’t played our best cricket,” he said. 

Trappel said, despite the tough start, some players had stuck their hand up, including top order batsman Ricky Dent. 

“He has come to our club from Thornton and been looking good at the top of the order,” he said.

“He’s been getting out there and getting runs for us.”

Elsewhere in first grade cricket, table toppers Raymond Terrace take on Kurri Weston at Jack Collins Oval.

Raymond Terrace edged out Eastern Suburbs by three wickets in a low-scoring thriller last week to remain the only unbeaten team in the competition.

Raymond Terrace teenager Jacob Page was the hero with the bat scoring 37 not out to help steer the Lions to a three-wicket win.

Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs will play out at East Maitland Park in what is shaping to be an important match between the sides coming third and second respectively.

Easts batsman Jack Bennett led the way last week in their tight loss to Raymond Terrace, top scoring with 43 runs which included a stunning six sixes. 

Norths claimed a win over Kurri Weston thanks to the Duckworth-Lewis system last week after rain interrupted play, after Kurri blasted out to a strong 180 total.

Norths got off to a strong start for their innings, with Will Fort getting 40 runs off of 57 balls. 

Jordan Callinan did the damage with the ball for the suburb side, claiming four wickets, taking his total this season to 10.

For Kurri, captain Tim Harding was strong with the bat, leading the way with 55 with six boundaries among them.