First-placed CYMS performed well with the bat against Macquarie and is now just a strong bowling performance away from advancing straight to the decider while second-placed South Dubbo batted out the day against Newtown.

Macquarie, Newtown and RSL-Colts, all locked on 47 points, are fighting it out for the final spot in the top three and it was the latter who enjoyed the best day on Saturday.

Young spinner Mitch Ashford took 3/19 from nine overs as Rugby was rolled for just 113.

Jakke Gardiner (2/11) and Sam Bass (2/23) also chipped in while Geoff Wheeler toook 1/11 from 11 overs and Tim Howarth took 1/13 from 10.

Twenty sundries was the biggest contributor for Rugby while Glenn Shepherd top-scored with 18.

Colts then finished the day at 3/76, with Tim Howarth having made 42 and putting his side in a commanding position.

CYMS posted 259 against Macquarie, with Nathan Hawke’s brilliant 94 the standout effort while five other players made more than 20.

It was an impressive effort from the young Cougars, with Lochie Endacott making 39 from number seven while Sam Knaggs was 23 not out.

Shane Dupille toiled for the Blues and took 4/61 from 18 while Justin Gavin took 2/51, including the big wicket of Hawke when he was six off a century.

South Dubbo will be aiming to roll Newtown next week and then hoping for Macquarie to down CYMS as it chases the minor premiership.

Currently two points behind CYMS, Souths made 9/160 from its 65 overs on Saturday with Greg Rummans making 73 not out and digging his side out of a massive hole.

Rummans came to the crease with his side at 4/22 and then at 5/46 things were looking bleak, with Andy Gardiner (3/21) and Lewis Goodman (3/32) causing carnage early. But Rummans stuck it out while Cameron Herd contributed 23.