In today's final edition of the Whitney Cup mid-season review the Daily Liberal make some predictions as to what the rest of the season will bring as we look at the team who pinched top spot after the last round of 2013, RSL-Colts.
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The scariest thing about Colts is they are sitting at the top of the ladder without really hitting top form and without putting the same 11 players regularly on the park each week.
If Colts can really fire in the second half of the season there is every chance they will again be holding the Whitney Cup after grand final day, but with Rugby breathing down their neck they will not feel like favourites.
Colts biggest advantage is their confidence and their consistency. They might not be everyone's favourite team but you've got to admire their ability to win matches.
There is experience throughout the squad, led by Western Zone veterans Tim Cox and Jason Ryan.
NSW Country quick Cox is having another great season and is the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 21 wickets and the miserly economy of 2.29 runs per over.
Cox may be the leading wicket-taker but he has taken a bit of a back seat and left the new ball to the likes of Wade Potter, Sean Mason and Jacob Bruce.
Teenager Potter is having a break-out season, with the Cobar quick coming on in leaps and bounds and troubling batsmen throughout the competition with his pace and movement.
The quicks are well complimented by spin with youngster Will Wolter headlining a spin contingent including Stuart Naden, Matt Saul and captain Wes Giddings.
Wolter has been one of the big stories of 2013-14 with the teenage all-rounder cementing his place in first grade and getting a taste of representative cricket.
His patience with the bat is remarkable for someone so young and he has often been the anchor with which Colts build their innings around. It is no surprise to see the few matches where Wolter has struggled have been the few matches where Colts haven't been at their best.
Colts' consistency with the bat is a concern, highlighted by their match against Rugby when they were bowled out for 85.
While their fielding is slowly getting better dropped catches have been all too common for Colts and they will not want that come finals time.
But with the depth of experience and talent in their squad there is no doubt Colts can defend their title and win the competition again, especially if the likes of Cox and Ryan are available every week.
o o o
With the mid-season review now complete it's time for some bold predictions.
The competition seems to be a two-horse race between Colts and Rugby and it would be a huge shock to see anyone else win, even with the talent Macquarie have on hand.
I think Macquarie will hold on to third but their tussle with Macquarie will be one to watch.
Hopefully CYMS can record their first win and along with Souths be competitive until the end but for me Rugby just has a bit more depth than Colts and that's what will allow them to win this season's competition.
The likes of Moran and Bower may have struggled for runs recently but there is no doubt they'll bounce back.
While Colts have that incredible will to win and will no doubt push Rugby until the very end I think it will be a season to remember for the men in sky blue.
