NEWTOWN'S Whitney Cup finals credentials go on the line on Saturday when the Tigers return to the field on day two of their clash with Macquarie.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Locked in a tight race with CYMS for third place on the first grade ladder, Steve Skinner's men know they need a win in order to stay in the hunt for the last finals berth, and it will be up to their bowlers to get the job done after being bowled out for 201 late on the first day.
The Tigers will be ruing missed opportunities from day one, with a Jon Fuller hat-trick helping Macquarie get back into the contest after Newtown were 2-135 at one stage and looking good to post a healthy first innings score.
In the end it was only a Wayne Dunlop century which helped Newtown to a handy first innings total.
Macquarie will resume on 0-17 after seeing out seven overs late on the first day, with Dan Medway on nine and Jacob Harvey on seven.
Harvey's return to the game from a back injury has been a bright spot for Macquarie in what has been predominantly an otherwise dark season.
The Blues have little to play for apart from the chance to end their season on a high.
After sitting in third place just a couple of weeks prior to the Christmas break, a lack of form has seen them winless in 2013 and they have dropped to fifth place and are out of the running for a spot in the post-season.