IT was far from their best batting performance this season but Rugby continued their push for the Kelly Cup minor premiership on Saturday with a 57-run win over Macquarie.
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Against an undermanned Blues outfit Rugby were dismissed for just 123 but their bowlers then tore through the Macquarie line-up and dismissed them for 66.
After winning the toss and batting and in need of a win to keep up with Newtown Gold, Rugby found themselves in all sorts of trouble at 7-64.
But tailenders Matt Neill (27) and Ben Wheeler (23 not out) helped get the total past 100.
Macquarie captain Chad O'Brien finished with the figures of 3-15 from eight overs while Dylan Wilkinson claimed 3-28.
The Blues then struggled throughout the run chase, losing wickets all too regularly.
Only three players managed to make double figures as Rugby bowlers Craig Wood (3-13) and Kel Rumble (3-14) did the brunt of the damage.
The finals hopes of CYMS took a hit on Saturday with Thom Graham's five-wicket haul not enough to stop RSL-Colts Youth Development (YD) recording a 27-run win.
Glenn Armstrong, as he has many times this season, led the way for Colts YD and top scored with 79 in his side's total of 172.
He was the only one who could handle the leg spin of youngster Graham, who finished with 5-26 from his eight overs.
The Cougars batted their full 40 overs in reply but couldn't quite keep up with the required run-rate after losing their top three batsmen for single figures.
Cal Giffin made 40 and Ben Cook made 30 but the bowling of Paul Bass (3-39) and Sam Bass (2-17) got Colts home.
South Dubbo solidified their spot in the top five on Saturday with a comfortable seven-wicket win over RSL-Colts.
Tom Mitchell's 4-21 helped dismiss Colts for just 111 and then Andrew McKittrick smashed an unbeaten half century give the Hornets the points.
Matt Trumper also contributed in the run chase and was not out 35 as Souths reached the target for the loss of just three wickets.
Colts' best with the bat had earlier been Ben Bruce, who made 39, while of the Colts bowlers Ryan Davies (2-10) was the pick.
Lady Cutler 3 hosted the Newtown derby on Saturday and it was Gold who continued their dominance over their local rivals, winning by 38 runs.
The ball outperformed the bat with no player making more than 40. Batting first, Newtown Gold made 147 with Jay Kelly (40) and Darren Davies (21) the top-scorers.
Andy Gardiner (3-16), Brett Wrigley (3-39) and Eric Woolnough (3-41) all impressed for Newtown Black.
In the run chase the Black Tigers were in all sorts of trouble at 4-20 and things didn't get better from there with only Tom Skinner (33 not out) and Gardiner (23) able to get themselves in.
Mitch Gray took 3-21 for the victorious Newtown Gold side while Heath Blackett finished with 3-20.