With both sides needing wins in the final two rounds to be any chance of making the RSL-Whitney Cup finals series, there was plenty to play for one Saturday and a captain’s knock from Medley and then two quick wickets late on has the Cougars well placed.

Medley made 83 in his side’s total of 215 and then a runout and the dismissal of Jordan Moran by Ben Knaggs had Rugby 2/30 in reply.

“Not a bad day,” Medley said at stumps.

“To set 215 and to have them 2/30 and Jordo in the sheds, even though he is not here next week, I think its fair to say it is still an even contest but I think we’ve just got our noses in front and got the chance for another win.”

With arguably the strongest side CYMS has had all season at his disposal, Medley won the toss and batted but improving youngster Will Grant (2/54) removed Brock Larance (7) early on.

Dave McAlister (19) and the returning Ben Strachan (14) also failed to kick on, leaving Medley and Lewis Matthews to dig in against some accurate and nagging bowling.

James O’Brien was back to his best with the ball, beating the bat numerous times before finishing with 1/11 from 11 overs, but slowly Medley began to find runs more easily.

But even as he passed 50 he failed to find a partner willing to go the distance as well.

Medley eventually fell to the consistent Adali Shipp (3/23) for 83, with no other batsman even making 20.

“I’ve been feeling good with the bat all year and it’s always good to hang about in the middle and feel like you’re contributing,” Medley said, before speaking about his side’s total.

“It could have definitely been more but you’d say that every week. We’ve had a couple of collapses and we showed today if there’s a couple of partnerships it really puts pressure on them.

“A bit of value on wickets would have been nice but 215, when you’ve got them 2/30, you walk away and all-in-all its not a bad day.”

Ina  sight not seen here often, Strachan charged in off the long run for CYMS in the final nine overs and the pressure he created resulted in Ben Wheeler (2) being run out by Larance but it was Knaggs who got one through Moran’s defences and bowled him for 6.

Moran was to miss next weekend anyway as he will be playing for NSW Country at Bowral.

Pat Berryman (15 not out), who hit the ball hard late on, and Chris Russo (6 not out) will resume the chase next Saturday.

The latter, O’Brien and captain Nathan Munro all to be key in the run chase, with 185 more runs needed for victory.

“Irrespective of what has happened before this round its a good position to be in,” Medley said, his side having not won in four rounds.

“You know if you turn it on for four weeks and put your head down and get a couple of wins we get ourselves in the first finals series we’ve been in for quite some time so there’s a fair incentive.”