Chasing Newtown’s day one total of 201, the Hornets stumbled early to be 3/22 but Railz showed maturity beyond his years to make an unbeaten 103, his fourth century but the first of what will be a long first grade career.

“It was nice, particularly because it was a game we really needed to win as well,” Railz said.

“We were only chasing 200 so we would have been disappointed if we didn’t get it, but to spend some time at the crease and help the boys to a win was good.

“I had kept getting myself out in games but I feel like I’ve figured out a way to score now that I’ve settled in to first grade, so I was pretty happy.

Defending a small total, Newtown needed to start well and they did just that.

Bailey Edmunds rattled the stumps of Adam Wells (4) in the fifth over of the day, and his efforts were backed up by Mat Skinner, who removed Mark O’Donnell (10) and Mitch Bower (3) in the space of two overs.

But that was really where the joy ended for the Tigers as the Souths young gun went to work.

While Railz did the bulk of the scoring for his side, it was a couple of veterans that he praised for their part in his man-of-the-match effort.

He was joined by the experienced Mat Finlay and Greg Rummans for the bulk of his 138-ball innings, and said the pair guided him well.

“There were times where I almost hit the panic button, and I gave a chance to square leg when I was on about 40, but they just kept talking to me,” Railz said.

“Mat is good to bat with and he was just telling me to be patient and wait for the bad ball to come.

“Then when ‘Rummo’ came out he was the same. A few weeks ago I got a 50 against Colts and he told me to go on and make a big score and I didn’t.

“This time I tried to knuckle down a bit and it was good that he was there with me when we won.

“The boys were all cheering every run towards the end so I knew I was close to a hundred, and when I got it it was a pretty good feeling.”

The win, which came in the 50^th of Souths’ allotted 75 overs, keeps them in second place on the first grade ladder with one round remaining before finals.

While they can’t catch tearaway leaders RSL-Colts, they are locked in a tight battle with Macquarie for second place.

For Newtown, the defeat ended their finals hopes as they sit in fifth place, 13 points out of third position.

They will play Colts in a two-day match in the final round, while there will be plenty at stake for Souths when they face a CYMS that kept its finals hopes alive with a dominant win over Rugby on Saturday.