Tamworth first-grade cricket: Bulls beat City after Luke Paterson's rapid-fire innings | PHOTOS

It is the first time since 2016-17 that the Bulls have started the season with two straight wins.

Bective East's hero on Saturday was Bulls No 8 Luke Paterson, who struck an 48-ball 44 to propel the side to a two-wicket win that was achieved with two balls to spare in the one-dayer.

Bulls captain Jye Paterson said his younger brother "really stepped up", adding: "He brought us home. He was hitting the ball really well."

Paterson continued: "Everyone was obviously over the moon with the win ... To win the way we did, with a couple of balls to go, it just puts a lot more confidence in the side for the next few games coming up."

Saturday's fixtures were only the second completed round of a rain-interrupted season. After five rounds, Bective and reigning premiers Old Boys are the only undefeated sides.

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With COVID-19 restrictions delaying the start of the season, there will be no two-day games this season - only one-dayers and Twenty20s.

That could be good news for the Bulls.

"We probably have stepped up a bit more in the shorter formats [in recent seasons]," Paterson said.

On Saturday, City United batted after winning the toss and made 7-166 after 40 overs.

No 4 Simon Toyer top-scored with a 82-ball 58 that included a six and four boundaries.

Daniel Whale (a 44-ball 41) and Kilian Apen (28) were the next best contributors.

Kurt Barton (3-31) and Jye Paterson (3-39) were Bective East's best with the ball.

In reply, Abel Carney and Harry Morrow put on a quick-fire 58-run opening stand for the Bulls - with Carney making a 35-ball 27 and Morrow a 32-ball 25.

But only one of Bective's next five batsmen got into double figures (Barton made 16), before Luke Paterson's match-winning knock.

At Riverside 1, North Tamworth won for the first time this season with a two-wicket victory over South Tamworth.

Chasing 131, the Redbacks finished on 8-135 in the 39th over.

Souths openers Brock Morley (a 43-ball 40) and Mitch Smith (a 55-ball 37) produced 79-run opening stand. But only one other Souths batsman, Daniel Lawrence (32), got into double figures.

Michael Rixon (4-12) and Brad Redshaw (3-33) were the Redbacks' best bowlers, with Rixon (37 not out) the side's top-scorer.

At Riverside 2, West Tamworth remained winless after a loss to Old Boys.

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