THERE will be no easing back into things for RSL-Colts or Rugby, who will meet each other in a one-day contest at No.3 Oval on Saturday.
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The top two sides in the Whitney Cup will be battling for top spot on the ladder and, with so much at stake, both teams can be expected to come out all guns blazing.
Colts currently hold a 0.07 point advantage over their rivals and the winner of Saturday's match will go a long way to booking themselves a grand final spot, which is the reward for the team that claims the minor premiership.
The match between Souths and Macquarie scheduled for Saturday has been moved from No.1 Oval down to the Lady Cutler complex as a result of works done at the premier ground during the Christmas break.
All season the condition of the wickets at No.1 Oval has been a concern for the local cricketing fraternity, with the inner circle and outfields not faring much better after a hefty workload during football season.
During the break wickets were relaid and other work done to try and regenerate the ground, however that work has resulted in the ground not quite being ready for play.
Saturday's other match will see third-placed CYMS go head-to-head with fifth-placed Newtown at No.2 Oval.
Led by Jaspal Bansal's stellar form with the bat and contributions from Ben Strachan both the leather and willow, CYMS have established their spot in the top three.
But with their nearest rival Macquarie facing the struggling Souths first up, CYMS will be keen to win and guarantee they at least maintain the 11-point advantage they have built up over the Blues.
Newtown will not be an easy assignment for the Cougars though, with the Tigers naming a squad featuring all three Skinner brothers, keeper-batsman Dan French and hard-hitting opener Wayne Dunlop.
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While the Whitney Cup resumes this weekend, those players in both the Pinnington Cup and Kelly Cup get an extra week off and those competitions will resume next weekend with one-day matches.