Shafkat Malik claimed four wickets while Jack Lenord picked up three as Rugby was rolled for just 52 on a pitch that was made difficult to bat on after the rain late last week.

In reply, Souths reached 5/99 at stumps with Thomas Stimpson undefeated on 37.

After being sent in, Rugby were in a world of hurt early as Malik and Lenord reduced them to 4/10.

Ryan Maxwell’s 15 was the top score and he and Jacob Bruce (12) were the only players to make double figures.

Troy Tracey (2/18) ensured Rugby salvaged some pride late in the day but with first innings points already conceded the Hornets are well-placed to chase an outright on day two.

At Lady Cutler 4, Nathan Jones helped Colts post 202 but Macquarie made a solid start to the chase late in the day.

Jones did the bulk of the work for Colts, with the next best contribution after his 67 being 25 sundries from the Blues bowlers.

Of those bowlers, Ray Cusack was up from third grade again and claimed 3/34 from seven overs.

Macquarie then had five overs left to survive and Cusack didn’t go into his shell, hitting four boundaries and making 18 not out while Ian Marchant was 12 not as the Blues finished at 0/31.

The final match of the round was another even contest with CYMS set to resume at 0/8 in reply to Newtown’s 197.

Jesse Spang banged 82 not for the Tigers while Nathan Merchant made 32 after his side won the toss and opted to bat.

CYMS youngster Lachie Endacott, who moved across from Mudgee during the off-season, took 4/16 from 10 overs while Sam Knaggs picked up 2/27 from his 14.

Spang was the standout, hitting nine boundaries in his crucial knock.

CYMS had to survive just one over with the bat after dismissing the Tigers and Heath Larance made it a good one, scoring eight. He and Connor Watts (0 not out) resume the chase on day two.