"At one stage I would have been very happy to keep them anything under 350," Trappel said ahead of day two of their encounter at King Edward Park.

Easts were all out for 272 with Trent Park making 146, including 15 fours and eight sixes, backed up by 59 to Jack Bennett.

"They were something like three for 170 after 40 overs, with 40 overs to go seven wickets in hand and they were already on 170 I was thinking anything around 350 would be good," Trappel said.

"To be in the position that we are now, rolling them for 272 and being 1/52 overnight that leaves us with 221 runs to get, it's a far better position that I thought we were going to be in.

"It's still going to be a tough job, we are still going to have to bat well. We need to bat plenty of overs. If we bat time and put on some partnerships we will get the job done."

Trappel said Park had shown exactly what was needed to make a big innings taking full advantage of dropped chances by the City fieldsmen.

"Trent showed us how to do the job last week, he batted exceptionally. We didn't help ourselves we dropped him three or four times but he made us pay," he said.

"He and Jack (Bennett) showed if you play your shots and spend time out there runs can come."

Trappel said while the fielding was below par, the bowlers had worked extremely hard to get City back into the game.

Todd Francis picked up 3-50 and Tim Burton put in another huge-hearted display of pace bowling to finish with 5-45 after 5-44 the round before against Thornton.

"I think Tim has lifted his output again and is the best paceman in the competition this year," Trappel said.

"If he had his way I'd never get the ball off him, he is always looking for work and is really delivering the goods for us."

Trappel said a couple of good partnerships and at least one big innings by one of the top order batsman was needed for City to chase down Easts target.

"I think we definitely have the batting to get the job done and hopefully Wayne Dunlop and Josh (Trappel) can pick up from where they and at least one of them get a big innings," he said.

"It won't be easy as Easts are in some good form and will make us work hard."

In the other games Western Suburbs resume on 1/44 after dismissing Thornton for 185.

Northern Suburbs resume on 0/34 against Raymond Terrace who are defending 212. Kurri Weston will need early wickets to deny Tenambit Morpeth their first win. The Bulls are on 2/39 chasing 178 for victory.

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