It was billed as the match of the season and it certainly did not disappoint as RSL-Colts defeated Newtown by one wicket in a heart-stopping top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

It was a low-scoring thriller, due largely in part to the damp No. 3 Oval pitch, with Newtown making 9-100 from their 40 overs before Colts reached the target with just one wicket in hand.

Tim Cox, so often the hero with ball, this time starred with the bat, making a game-high 23 not out from number nine as he combined with number 11 Sam Campbell in a 29-run last-wicket partnership to get his side home.

Newtown were distraught after the loss and Colts' Jason Ryan said after winning such a high-profile match his side had a real psychological edge heading into the business end of the season.

"They were in a position where they should have won and we were in a position where we thought the game was gone," he said.

"So to come back was good and they were pretty shattered so it's good for us heading into the next month or two."

Colts captain Chris Morton won the toss and sent the competition leading Tigers into bat on a pitch which provided plenty of pop for the new ball bowlers.

Wayne Dunlop and Daniel Holland combated that well but off-spinner Greg Buckley changed the game when he entered the attack as he knocked over both openers.

The Englishman then also picked up the big wicket of Steve Skinner for 17 and while Newtown continued to try and patiently work themselves into the game, wickets continued to fall.

Nathan Jones picked up his first wicket when he had Tetaan Henning caught for 10 and then he picked up the huge wicket of Mat Skinner, caught by Ryan, for just 12.

The spinners worked their way through the lower order with Jones finishing with 4-17 from eight, Buckley 3-26 from eight and Wes Giddings 2-13 from eight.

While the pitch had dried out by the time Colts went in to bat it did not make things any easier with the likes of Mat and Steve Skinner and Dan Holland applying plenty of pressure.

"They were two completely different pitches, it was really wet and popping early and when we batted it was dry and there was a lot of sideways movement so it was probably easier to bat when it was just popping," Ryan said.

"It was a bit of a challenge but it was good to get a game like that."

Key batsmen Buckley, Ryan and Chris Morton could only manage 20 runs between them as Mat Skinner (3-26) tore through the top order before Steve (3-17) worked his way through the middle.

With Colts reduced to 9-72 the match was seemingly Newtown's but Cox and Campbell got the men in red home and now, with less than a point between the two top sides, Ryan said Colts want the minor premiership.

"Definitely, it's the easiest path to the grand final," he said.

"It's good to book your ticket early and that's always our aim, the easiest option is to have the week off so we want the minor premiership."