A brand new initiative starts for the first time in the Whitney Cup on Saturday, with competition leaders RSL-Colts and defending premiers Macquarie meeting in a day-night match.
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The start time at No. 1 Oval has been pushed back to 3pm, meaning the game may go past 8pm, allowing the clubs’ respective lower grade sides and other fans to go along and watch the end of the match.
“I think it will be (a good thing),” Colts captain Jason Ryan said.
“It was a bit of a surprise when I heard they were going to do it but overall I think it’s a good thing.
“I know our second grade is pretty keen to finish their game and come and have a couple of beers and and watch so it should be good and I know both clubs are supporting it.”
While something like this is brand new for all the players involved, it doesn’t mean anything in terms of the match itself, according to the Colts skipper.
His side has enjoyed a fine start to the season and currently sits seven points clear at the top of the table after winning two of three matches and recording a rare outright win in the process.
But according to Ryan, his side can still play a lot better and he is hopeful that improvement starts on Saturday against the third-placed Macquarie.
“Both sides have started well so if we can play a good game and get a win it will extend our lead at the top and really cement a place in that top three,” he said.
“That would be a good thing and our bowling has been going well but we still want to do better with the bat.”
The batting effort is the real focus for Ryan and his side on Saturday.
Despite playing some fine cricket, the men in red have failed to score 200 once yet.
While the batting lineup features the likes of Ryan, Greg Buckley, Marty Jeffrey, Wes Giddings, Brad Cox, Paul Hulthen and Chris Morton, it has been the side’s unheralded bowling attack which has led the way.
But the pressure will be on the batsmen to fire against the Blues with one key Colts bowler missing from Saturday’s lineup.
“Our bowling has been pretty good but we’ve suffered a blow with Tommy Atlee out for a couple of weeks with a broken thumb,” Ryan said.
“That’s not really good but we won last week without so we’ve shown we can do it. But the main thing this week is just doing a bit more with the bat.”
Macquaarie will also be keen on some improvement after slumping to it’s first loss of the season last weekend.
While opening bowler Jeremy Dickson took four wickets, the depth of talent in the bowling attack was lacking its usual venom with Angus Cusack having departed and Ben Taylor bowling spin due to an injury.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
