RSL-Colts remain undefeated on top of the RSL-Pinnington Cup ladder and shows no sign of letting up after a fifth straight win on Saturday.
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The men in red defeated Newtown by four wickets at Lady Cutler 4, with a number of players all contributing.
Newtown won the toss and opted to bat but was in some early trouble at 2-26, with Shane Groen (3/28) doing the damage with the new ball.
Kel Blackett and Nathan Merchant got things back on track and began to set the platform for a sizable total, as the Tigers had wickets in hand approaching the final ten overs.
Blackett was doing the bulk of the damage but it was Merchant (28) who was knocked over first by Ryan Davies (2/30).
Wickets then fell at regular intervals in the final overs, with Blackett (70) comfortably the top-scorer in his side’s total of 7/186.
Graeme Morton and Josh Smith got off to a solid start in reply before the latter was out for 24 with the score on 40.
Morton (32) followed and Colts suddenly slumped to 5/77 as Tyler Spang (2/26), Dale O’Donnell (2/61) and Merchant (2/26) got going.
But Nathan Finlay remained at the crease and he guided his side towards victory.
He finished unbeaten on a well-made 82, as Colts reached the target with more than seven overs to spare.
CYMS is remains at the foot of the ladder but on percentages only after a three-wicket win over South Dubbo at Lady Cutler 3.
The Cougars are now one of four sides locked on 12 points, behind leading duo Colts (26) and Macquarie (20).
A strong bowling performance, which reduced Souths to 5/46 at one stage, helped CYMS dismiss the Hornets for 140 on Saturday.
Callan Braithwaite was a standout with 2/2 from five overs while Yogi Chawla (2/15), Kyle Larance (2/25) and Samuel Thompson (2/32) also chipped in, while Mick McCarthy (42) was Souths’ best.
Matt Hailing (3/21) kept his side in it as he struck with the new ball but CYMS soon consolidated.
Braithwaite capped off a good game with 33 in the middle order while captain Gavin Weekes and Chawla each made 26 as CYMS reached the target with more than two overs to spare.
Hailing was the pick of the bowlers while Jeff Shanks (1/24 off eight) also kept his side in the match at times.
Justin Gavin made a strong return to the Pinnington Cup on Saturday as he top-scored in Macquarie’s 31-run victory over Rugby.
Gavin, captaining the Macquarie White Kelly Cup side this season, was promoted due to a host of unavailabilities at the Blues.
After his side won the toss and batted, Gavin hit 68 at the top of the order to help his side post 7/211 from 40 overs.
While Gavin led the way, Blake Jones (35) and John Blizzard (26) also contributed.
Youngster Lachlan Harper (3/39) was one of Rugby’s best with the ball while Garry Goodman (2/18 off eight) was handy again with the new ball.
After a steady start, Rugby lost Harper (9), Max Rumble (18) and Kel Rumble (0) inside 20 overs.
With the score 3/64 after 20 Rugby was in need of some quick scoring and while Mitch Russo stood firm, wickets continued to fall around him.
Russo made 53 but the run rate grew higher and while Rugby batted the overs out, they fell well short at 7/180.
Shane Dupille (2/26) did the damage with the new ball while Luke Carman (2/38) and Chad O’Brien (2/51) were also among the wickets for the second-placed Blues.
Rugby will look to bounce back next week against South Dubbo.
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.
