DUBBO CYMS captain Ben O'Donnell believes today is one of the best opportunities to record his first Whitney Cup win as skipper.
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O'Donnell took over as captain last season but the Cougars suffered a miserable summer, finishing at the foot of the ladder and failing to win a match.
But with some new additions during the off-season CYMS have looked a better side in 2014-15 and despite losing three quick wickets before stumps last week O'Donnell still thinks his side can chase down South Dubbo's 191.
"I think it's anyone's game at the moment," he said, with his side resuming today at 3-22.
"We've just got to hold our own because we know we can bat all the way down, we've just got to pull together and keep going.
"We had two or three chances to get that win last season but just couldn't quite seal it but hopefully we can do it, I don't care if we bat the 75 overs to get the runs."
O'Donnell praised his side's effort in the field last week, saying it was one of the best bowling and fielding performances he's seen the side produce, but Souths skipper Tim Berry ensured there would be some nerves in the Cougars camp when he struck twice before stumps.
"He (Berry) will bowl a lot of overs and Scott (Tucker) bowled well too, if the pitch is a road like it was last week then it's a great batting deck and we just lost three wickets last week because maybe we were a bit tired and lost concentration," O'Donnell said.
The captain was one of the men out, along with Ben Strachan and Tom Carruthers, leaving Pete Rothwell (11 not out) and Stuart Naden (6 not out) to do the job this week.
The Cougars also have Ryan Medley and Harry Brennan to come while Souths will lead with Berry and Tucker, supported by the likes of Will Wolter, Adam Carr and the returning Matt Finlay.
With two of CYMS' new faces, Naden and Medley, likely to feature heavily in the run chase O'Donnell has praised the impact the pair has had on CYMS batting line-up.
"With Stu and 'Meds' leading at the top it gives us a great chance, not only do they score runs but they give others down the order more confidence knowing that when they get out there not all the pressure is going to be on them," he said.
Today's match begins at 1pm at No. 2 Oval.
