Rugby trailed CYMS by just over five points leading into Saturday's play but they have set themselves up well for victory after posting 8-300 on day one of their match at Lady Cutler 4.

Dale Watmore led the way with 85 but there were contributions all through the line-up as last season's runners-up piled on the runs against the Hornets.

After winning the toss and batting Rugby got off to the perfect start with Watmore combining with young gun Charlie Kempston to make 94 runs for the first wicket.

Kempston fell to fellow under-16s player Sam Fraser for 39 and despite more wickets falling in the middle order Watmore continued on.

He eventually fell to Neil Motbey just 15 short of a century but Gary Goodman (47 not out), Rod Leonard (37) and Glenn Shepherd (37) helped the score reach 300 in the final over of the day.

Geoff Shanks (2-33), Fraser (2-39) and Motbey (2-67) were the main wicket-takers for Souths, who have a huge task in front of them next week.

While Rugby were dominating Souths, competition leaders CYMS were showing why they're top of the ladder with an equally strong day one against Newtown.

The Cougars bowlers, led by Yogi Chawla, kept the pressure on all day and bowled the Tigers out for 141 in the 59th over of the day before surviving the final six overs and finishing at 0-13 in reply.

Chawla bowled a mammoth 24 overs straight and finished with 4-53 while Warren Dodd snr took 2-29 from 12 and Josh Thompson claimed 2-14 from 4.2.

Brian McKinnon made 37 for Newtown while Cameron Herd (34) and Mike Jeffrey (25) also chipped in but no one could go and make the big score required.

After dismissing the Tigers, CYMS then had a nervous six overs to face and despite Dave McAlister (5 not out) bring dropped early on the Cougars kept all 10 wickets in tact.

Daryl Thompson (8 not out) is the other batsman at the crease.

Macquarie are well-placed to keep a hold of their grip on third place after making 207 against RSL-Colts on Saturday.

The final wicket fell in the last over of the day, meaning Colts have all next Saturday to chase the target, but it will be a big ask for a side with only two wins to their name this season.

Despite his side being in the field all day, Colts' Jakke Gardiner was a standout.

The spinner took 5-66 from 21 overs to keep his team in the match.

Macquarie had no batsman make a half century with Brenton Morgan (48), Nathan Shurmer (40) and Brant Mann (37) all getting solid starts.

Shurmer's runs were particularly valuable from number 10 as he helped his side recover from 8-153 to post a more than competitive total.