After being smashed by first grade premiers Rugby in the last game, French said his side needed to shape up or start to lose sight of a top-three place on the competition ladder.

Harry van Dartel will make his first grade debut for Newtown and he's likely to share the new ball with tearaway Ben Patterson.

The Newtown bowlers claimed just five wickets against Rugby and obviously have some work to do, but then again so do their batsmen who made just 178 in two trips to the wicket.

"I'm looking forward to getting behind the stumps to Harry and Ben, both are really quick and hopefully they they get amongst the wickets against Colts," Fisher said.

"Ben has had a really busy season with a trip to South Africa for indoor cricket then junior rep games, so it will be good to have him back for club cricket on a more regular basis.

"After our performance against Rugby we've got to go forward over these next two weekends. There was very little application and our inability to bat out 75 overs was evident.

"The top sides have to do that to win games and we've got to lift.

"It's OK to rely on Wayne Dunlop and Mat Skinner at the top of the order, but the rest of us have to dig deep.

"We have to take a different approach into the two day games, forget about the run rate and just get selfish with our wickets and bat longer."

One player who could make a difference soon is former South African contract player Tetaan Henning who has been batting at three but is still yet to make runs.

"Tetaan hasn't played for a few years but is a very accomplished batsmen who was on a contact at home in South Africa and has played alongside Jacques Kallis and a couple of the current Test players," Fisher said.

Fisher himself has been given more responsibility this season and is batting at four. Against Rugby he top scored with 39 in Newtown's first innings total of 89 and was then second best with 19 when the side was out for the same score in the second dig.

The fact Colts won their last game against Souths outright won't make it any easier for Newtown.

Brad Cox made 108, Nathan Jones (70) and young William Wolter (67) Colts scored 8-308 on day one then their bowlers let rip and wickets fell at regular intervals to have Souths out for 82 and 83.

o o o

Congratulations to Newtown captain Steve Skinner and Denise who are first time parents following the birth of Harrison Joseph on Thursday.

It's been a big week for the new Dad who has been cleared to play cricket again after being out of action with a broken thumb. He was looking forward to playing for Club Dubbo in the McDonald's Megahit series Friday night and against Colts in first grade on Saturday.