South Dubbo sits nine points clear at the top of the RSL-Pinnington Cup ladder after downing Newtown by 24 runs in what was a close-fought round of second grade action.
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It was some of the side’s older heads who led the way with the bat at No. 3 Oval on Saturday.
Greg Rummans top-scored with 74 not out while Brian McKinnon chipped in with 38 and Mick Fraser made 37 as the Hornets posted 7/178 from its 45 overs.
They were the only three players to make double figures against a Tigers attack which never allowed the batsmen to really start piling on the runs.
Mitch Luncoln did a fine job with the new ball, bowling three straight maiden before finishing with 3/8 off five overs while Jackson Pettit (2/29) and Tom Barber (1/33) also did a job.
Newtown’s run chase began well with Adam Davis and Lachlan Reid both making 30 but after that a consistent Souths attack began to work its way through the lineup.
Nathan Merchant (25) and Daniel Flannery (30) threatened but Souths was too good and the Tigers were dismissed for 154.
Shef Malik was a standout with 4/23 while Justin Knudsen claimed and important 2/13 late on.
RSL-Colts moved within one point of second spot after downing Rugby in the Danny Bower Cup clash at Lady Cutler 4.
Rugby won the toss and batted but were soon in big trouble at 4/43 after 10 overs.
New ball bowlers Geoff Wheeler (4/34) and Ryan Davies (3/18) were both in fine form and while Grant Berryman made 49 in the middle order there was little respite for Rugby.
They ended up posting 150 and began well enough with the ball, reducing Colts to 3/41.
But there was little to cheer about after that as Nathan Finlay (57) produced a quality knock to guide his side towards the target.
Colts won by five wickets and reached their total with nine overs remaining.
Macquarie ensured it stays in touch with the competition’s top three when beating second-placed CYMS by four wickets at Lady Cutler 4.
It was the bowlers who set up the win, captain Joe Haylock took 3/28 while new ball partner Emma Hughes finished with 2/25 and both Shane Dupille and Harry Brennan also claimed two scalps apiece.
Ben Williams (49) and Luke Ensor (34) got good starts but no Cougars batsman went on to make the big score as they posted 153.
Brennan (44) and Haycock (38) then did the bulk of the work in the chase, putting on 85 for the first wicket, before both fell to the leg spin of Josh Thompson (4/37).
Thompson bowled well but the Cougars total proved not enough as the Blues got home comfortably with four wickets in hand.