RSL-Colts veteran Jason Ryan described his side’s performance with the bat last week as “disgusting” but still has faith in the defending premiers’ lower order.
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Colts were close to unstoppable with the ball early on last week, reducing Newtown to 5/32 at one point in the RSL-Whitney Cup clash at No. 2 Oval.
But the Tigers fought back and posted 133 before ripping through the Colts lineup.
The men in red finished the day at 7/72, with Brad Cox (24 not out) and brother Tim (0 not out) tasked with rescuing their side against a Tigers outfit desperate to leapfrog Colts into the all-important third spot.
“They (Cox brothers) are two of the most patient blokes you’re likely to meet,” Ryan said.
“You couldn’t really get two better blokes to be out there in this situation. If you had a younger guy or someone inexperienced there could be some nerves and Newtown will come out and play their typical aggressive cricket.
“But those two blokes out there have been listening to them (Newtown) for about the last 10 years so they’ll be prepared for it.”
It wasn’t a performance we’re used to.
- Jason Ryan on Colts' day one performance
While remaining confident, Ryan said his side never have got itself into the situation it finds itself.
He stated, in hindsight, the pace quartet of Tom Atlee, Ben Semmler, Bede Young and Tim Cox could have stayed on and dismissed Newtown “for less than 100”.
While the Colts spinners didn’t go for big runs last week, Dan French was able to work them around on his way to rescuing his side and making a half century.
“We took our foot off a bit,” he said.
“Then we had to go out there and bat for a session and we didn’t bat well at all. It was disgusting, really.
“There was a couple of unlucky ones but there was some ugly shots and it wasn’t a performance we’re used to.”
While the Colts top order crumbled, the side possesses a deep batting lineup.
Brad Cox has been a key figure in the middle order for years and while brother Tim is more known for his bowling, he too has done a job with the willow before.
“Then we’ve got to choose two of Benny Semmler, Bede Young and Nathan Jones and all three of them are capable of scoring runs so we’re pretty lucky in that sense,” he said. “Most other teams don’t have much left when they’re seven down but we’ve got confidence in the blokes coming in.”
Despite so much happening on day one, Ryan felt it was unlikely there would be an outright result.
Both sides have a huge amount to play for as they are currently locked on 30 points, trailing leaders Rugby and South Dubbo.
“It’s massive. We play CYMS and Rugby in the last two rounds so if we can get a win on Saturday and beat CYMS then we could almost be playing Rugby for the minor premiership, depending on what Souths does,” Ryan said.
“That’s the way it’s panned out. Before Christmas we were fifth and now we’ve got a rough chance of finishing first.”
Plays starts 1pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
