RSL-Colts captain Chris Morton knows Tom Atlee isn’t part of his side’s long-term plans, but he’s still backing the talented teenager to lead the men in red to an RSL-Whitney Cup title before he departs.
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Atlee produced a dominant display in Saturday’s win over CYMS, making 98 not out for Colts before triggering a Cougars collapse on his way to finishing with 4-28 in the 87-run victory.
It was the latest highlight in what is quickly becoming a massive season for the 17-year-old.
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He’s stepped up to become the vice-captain at Colts this season while he also debuted for the Western Zone senior side. Atlee is also regularly playing in Sydney and was there on Sunday lining up for Eastern Suburbs in the Poidevon-Gray Shield junior competition.
“Hopefully he stays around a little longer but I daresay he’ll be shipped off to Sydney pretty quick after he’s 18,” Morton said after Saturday’s win.
“He’s got a lot of talent and he’s definitely a player who could win a competition for us.”
Atlee, promoted to number three in the order on Saturday, rode his luck early and was dropped three times before reaching 20 but he quickly went on to make the Cougars pay.
He’s got a lot of talent and he's definitely a player who could win a competition for us.
- Colts captain Chris Morton on Tom Atlee
He mixed solid defence with powerful drives and the biggest question quickly became if he was going to reach a century before the end of the innings.
The Cougars finished the innings well with the ball and Atlee fell just two runs short as his side posted 6-201.
Brock Larance was the best of a solid CYMS bowling attack and finished with 2-24 from eight.
The match between the only two unbeaten sides in the RSL-Whitney Cup was always expected to be tight and CYMS made a fine start with the bat, dominating early on.
Stuart Naden and Thomas Nelson added 45 for the first wicket before the latter fell for 17, but the Englishman showed no signs of slowing.
Naden led the charge for the Cougars and at drinks he was 47 not out with his side sitting pretty at 3-92.
“I think at drinks CYMS was in control,” Morton said.
“But then Tommy (Atlee) got the break through and got rid of Stu and then ‘Stachany’ (Ben Strachan) had a bit of brain explosion and played a bad shot and Tommy fired up and tore through the tail.”
Atlee had Naden caught behind for a well-made 54 and that dismissal triggered an almighty collapse of seven wickets for just four runs.
Morton’s men share top spot on the ladder with Newtown but are the only undefeated team in the competition after four rounds.
The captain is adamant there’s still more to come from his side.
“We’re far from perfect and we haven’t been bowling overly well,” Morton said.
“Rhys Beauchamp has been our best with the ball and most consistent by far but we’re not making the most of the new rock.
“And Tommy and Brad (Cox) are the only ones stepping up and making runs so we’ve got a lot of improvement in us.”
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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.
