The long and short of it? Fast bowler Tim Baker was just too good

The good news is that City United paceman Tim Baker, who has been making opening batsmen hop around the crease for a couple of seasons now, has decided to try shortening his run-up and has dropped pace in the process.

The bad news is that he's now swinging the ball away from the right hander, is more accurate and bowls longer spells. Oh yes, and in his first game off the shortened run, he took 7-15 against Easts.

That's right ... 7-15 off 12.2 overs and didn't concede a boundary. In fact, Baker and fellow paceman Tim Burton (2-29) bowled unchanged as Easts were back in the pavilion for 49 off just 22.2 overs.

"Matt Trappel and a few of the guys have suggested I try the shorter run, but I've been a bit reluctant," Baker said. "I've always felt my greatest weapon was my pace and I didn't want to give that up.

"But I come off the shorter run in the nets at training and the guys have felt I bowl more consistently in good areas, so I gave it a go on Saturday.

"Instead of running up about 25 metres I cut it to about 14."

Baker was quick to point out the conditions were favourable - the weather was overcast and the ball was swinging.

True, but it should also be pointed out that the Robins Oval wicket wasn't wet or a green top - it was just super bowling - and City's top order batsmen had little trouble on it late in the day.

A result of the shorter run was that he was more upright in his delivery which meant he started swing the ball away from the bat - normally he moves it the other way. Towards the end of his spell he found he could also move the ball back in.

It resulted in the top order being caught in the slips, and the lower order bowled.

Trappel, who has been pushing for the change, said it was a terrific spell.

"He might say he dropped pace but he was still sharp enough," Trappel said. "The first few guys were caught in the slips so the ball was still carrying through all right. I think the last four were all bowled.

"He bowled in great areas from start to finish and was really difficult to play.

"He's not as accurate off the longer run and when he bowls a bad ball, it can get to the boundary pretty quickly. Last weekend it was sustained pressure.

"In fact he had the number 11 in on a hat trick, but missed. He got him the next over though."

Baker's seven-wicket haul is his best in first grade, eclipsing the 6-36 he managed against Raymond Terrace a couple of seasons back.

"I got a nine-for in lower grades for Raworth one time, but this is my best in first grade."

So, does that mean the short run is here to stay?

"Not sure ... I'll stick with it next week and maybe against Norths in the next match and see how it goes."

But 7-15 is a pretty strong argument in Trappel's eyes.

City resume at 0-27 with quick runs the order of the day as they push for an outright.