Rutledge, now 47, has been playing first grade cricket in some capacity for nearly 30 years now. Be it injury or representative selections by his teammates, the stalwart is always on hand to deliver the goods.

But this season marked a first in the bowler's career.

It was the middle of November when Rutledge's services were once again required by the first grade team.

He had just bowled a neat and tidy seven overs for second grade, taking 6-14. After the game he was asked if he could back up and play a Twenty20 the next day.

"At about 6.30pm on Saturday, we only had the bare 11," he said.

"I told them I'd wait and see if I pull up alright the next morning."

Well, he pulled up fine and not only did he help his side claim victory, he walked away with a hat-trick to his name.

"In Twenty20 cricket you can get pumped all over the place," he added.

"The first wicket was caught at mid-on after he tried to hit me through cow corner.

"The next just seemed in a little bit and bowled him through the gate.

"Then for the hat-trick ball, I half went up for the lbw appeal, but then the ball literally rolled onto the stumps and bowled him."

He has since featured in every first grade game going forward for Orange City, including this week's current clash with St Pat's, where City batted all day last week to put on 253.

With a mass of players out due to the Colts game, Rutledge will once again find himself among the bowlers tasked with taking the ten wickets.

"There have been a few injuries, so I'll be doing more bowling than I want to," he joked.

"Pretty much we just have to go hard the first hour or so and if that succeeds you keep doing it.

"But if a couple blokes put on a good partnership, then we just need to bowl to the right spots and frustrate them.

"Our second grade side will be decimated as well, but our junior development is really good, so this will be a good chance for them to shine."

In other games around the competition, Kinross will look to avoid an outright defeat to Cavaliers.

Kinross are currently 1-30 in their second innings. They require 58 more runs to make Cavs bat again.

Centennials Bulls will be looking to chase down the target of 184 set by Bathurst City. Bulls will resume the day on 4-74.

City Colts have already taken first innings points against CYMS, in large part thanks to Daniel Casey, whose 103 gave Colts a 133 run lead. CYMS will resume their second innings on 1-14.

Then the final match of the round sees Centrals trying to chase down Rugby Union's total of 224. Centrals will begin the day 1-64.