NEWTOWN will need to learn some lessons quickly after suffering their biggest loss of the 2014-15 Whitney Cup season, according to opening batsman Wayne Dunlop.
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The Tigers relinquished top spot on the Whitney Cup ladder courtesy of their 102-run defeat, but with two-day matches against Rugby and RSL-Colts to round out their season their finals destiny is still firmly in their own hands.
After Souths made 6-188 from their 40 overs, Newtown was humbled for just 86 as only Steve Skinner (13) and Marty Jeffery (16) made it into double figures.
"We were a bit down after the game but we spoke about things and we know where we went wrong and where we have to improve," Dunlop said.
"To be honest we were outplayed in all aspects of the game but the good thing is we have some time to turn it around, hopefully starting next week against Rugby.
"Hopefully it's a good thing for us and acts as a bit of a wake-up call because you can't afford to have an off-day against any side in this competition."
Early wickets saw Souths stumble to 4-66 before youngsters Henry Railz (34) and Will Wolter (40no) backed up earlier good work from Matt Finlay (26) and Asher Robins (21).
But it was a 56-run stand for the seventh wicket between Wolter and Tim Berry (32no) that helped the Hornets to a total of 6-188, which on a pitch with some assistance for the bowlers was always going to be competitive.
Steve Skinner was the pick of Newtown's bowlers, claiming 3-25 from eight overs with his off-spin.
The Tigers' reply never gained any momentum after Dunlop fell for a duck on the fourth ball of the innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals courtesy of probing bowling from Scott Tucker (3-20) and Jack Busch (2-23) in the early stages.
Wolter also bowler well, taking 1-19 from his six overs.
"We dropped half a dozen catches and our shot selection and application wasn't right, particularly on that pitch," Dunlop said.
"It was the kind of deck where you really had to graft out an innings. Will Wolter, Henry Railz and Tim Berry did that really well for them but we just didn't have anything that played that kind of innings.
"Playing Rugby and Colts heading into finals will be good for us I think. We've beaten them both in two-day games so far this season and we really want top spot and that automatic grand final spot and the only way to get that is to beat them both.
"If we do that we will go into the finals full of confidence and we'll probably have to play those sides again so the next two games are a really good opportunity for us."
