FOR years Jaspal Bansal has been renowned as one of the premier hitters in Dubbo cricket, and despite injuries forcing him back to second grade he put on a show again on Saturday.

Bansal was in no mood for running as he belted 139 in the Cougars first innings against RSL-Colts, helping his side to a total of 240 and giving their opposition something to chase on day two.

Batting at number three, Bansal came to the wicket with the score at 1-29 and shortly after CYMS looked to be in trouble as they collapsed to 3-36.

But a 94-run stand with Gavin Weekes (40) helped the Cougars rally before Weekes fell with the score on 130.

From there Bansal took over as he finished with 18 boundaries and five sixes in his innings, which also featured 29 singles and just four twos.

Geoff Wheeler (6-71 off 20 overs) was the pick of the bowlers for Colts, who will resume this week on 0-2.

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Wickets fell at a rapid rate on day one of Souths' clash with Macquarie at Lady Cutler 3, with runs very hard to come by.

Macquarie batted first after being sent in and could muster just 101 before being bowled out in the 41st over.

Openers Luke Patis and Richard Hawker were the equal top-scorers for the Blues, both managing 21 as Henry Railz ripped through them with a spell of 4-14 off seven overs.

With a low target set, Souths went in but they struggled as well, losing three quick wickets to be 3-5 off nine overs before rallying late to finish play on 5-46.

The match is evenly poised going in to day two, with Macquarie needing five wickets while the Hornets still require 56 runs to claim first innings points.

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Newtown will need a good batting performance if they are to take the honours in their clash with Rugby at Lady Cutler 4 after a Dale Watmore masterclass saw his side bat the entire day on Saturday.

Watmore made 88 as his side finished with 8-222 after their 65 overs, however things could have been much worse for the Tigers.

A 124-run opening partnership between Watmore and Pat Berryman had Rugby well-poised but the final session of day one saw the spoils shared as Rugby piled on 88 runs and Newtown took five wickets.