There may have been monumental changes in terms of the players but Dubbo again finds itself at the top of the Western Zone Premier League (WZPL) ladder.
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However, they face a real challenge to stay there as the race for a spot in the grand final heats up.
Dubbo downed Parkes on Saturday while Orange and Cowra fought out a brilliant tie at Wade Park.
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The weekend’s results mean Dubbo sits in top spot, one point ahead of Orange.
Parkes is just one point back with six points while Cowra and Bathurst, which had the bye on Sunday, each have two points.
The top two teams in the WZPL move straight through to the grand final on February 18.
Making things more interesting with two rounds to go is the fact Dubbo and Parkes each have a bye.
That gives the likes of Orange and Bathurst a real shot of making their way up the ladder.
“Focus is the same as always for us,” Orange skipper Daryl Kennewell said.
“We’ll just keep focusing on the next game, keep trying to get the results we want.”
Dubbo, again with a much-changed lineup, proved far too strong for Parkes on Sunday at No. 1 Oval.
The Souths combination of Angus Norton (41) and Corey McDean (25) added 57 for the first wicket after the hosts were sent into bat.
Debutant Charlie Kempston then made 43 at first drop while Stuart Naden held the middle order together and contributed 41 as Dubbo posted 9-232.
Skinner (27) and Tom Atlee (21) also made handy contributions from the lower order.
Parkes star Anthony Heraghty took 3-37 with his spin, before starting off his side’s chase.
The former Western Zone gun made a solid start and got his side to 47 in the 11th over but then Bailey Edmunds got one through his defence and rattled his stumps.
With the key man gone, Parkes struggled to build meaningful partnerships and the Dubbo attack kept applying pressure.
Tom Atlee then came back in his second spell and tore through the lower order to end the game in a hurry.
The RSL-Colts teenage speedster finished with 4-27 from 9.4 overs, three of those wickets being bowled.
Spinners Steve Skinner (2-30) and Stuart Naden (2-31) also kept things tight and were key performers with the ball.
In a disappointing effort, Parkes lost its final seven wickets for just 28 runs.
Dubbo will now have the bye next round, played on January 20, before finishing the regular season by travelling to Cowra.
Both matches next round will have a significant bearing on the ladder with Parkes playing host to Orange while Bathurst will take on Cowra.
The final round of the regular season is on February 3.
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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.
