The cricket season is currently on hiatus and that means it’s time to look at what we’ve seen in the RSL-Whitney Cup so far.
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But this time, the Daily Liberal sports desk is doing it differently.
CYMS is a young side going hard early, much like that kid at every party who is the main attraction at one point but is in danger of fading away soon. Don’t you think? And Colts, that team is much more like the old stager on a bucks night who has a big dinner first and paces himself, because he knows what it takes to get it done and make it a night to remember.
It all works.
So with that mind here is a night out with the RSL-Whitney Cup. Comparing each side to its party personality.
1 - CYMS Cougars (46 points)
The young upstart and life of the party early on. Who wants shots at 9pm? Why not!? After years of jealously watching older brothers and sisters live it up out in the big wide world, this person has finally got their chance to make a real impact during a night out on the town. They’re up dancing on tables early, catching the attention of everyone, and telling all the older members of the crew they’ll drink them under the table. Definitely the main attraction early on, but can they keep it up?
CYMS, a side made up predominantly of players under the age of 20, has hit the ground running this year and after not making finals since 2012/13 is all but certain to end that drought. Not only that, they could claim the minor premiership after pinching top spot in the last round before the break. They bat deep, they've got a stack of bowling options, and there's a real youthful arrogance about them as well. What's not to like? The one question mark is if they can handle it come the real pressure situations. The bulk of the side hasn't played in a senior match with something really on the line. That's the big question surrounding the Cougars at the moment.
2 - RSL-Colts (45 points)
The old stager. The regular at every social event and lives for the really big nights. This is the one you want to be with when you want a good time. They know to play it cool, go have a decent dinner somewhere early. Steaks and craft beers, anyone? What could be better. The night is young and no reason to go too hard, too soon. It’s all about pacing yourself and you just know this person has got what it takes to be raging well until the sun rises again.
That sums up Colts well, as they have been there before and done it all before. A dominant force in Dubbo cricket for the best part of two decades, the men in red have yet to really take off this season yet there they are, sitting second with just one loss suffered this season. With veterans like Jason Ryan, Brad Cox, Wes Giddings, and Chris Morton in the team they know what's needed to win a competition. Many others have tried to outdo them this season, and in the past, but Colts is still there and on track to have another massive crack at the title.
3 - Newtown (45)
Where's this person been? Haven't seen them on a night out in awhile but here they are with a fresh new look and acting a bit different. Dare we say it, they're actually great to be around! Excitement and entertainment is guaranteed but do they have what it takes to be the real star of the night? Will they still be going strong late in the piece or will some questionable decisions be made before they disappear?
Newtown still features the same core group but a number of new recruits has turned the side into a real premiership contender. Ben Patterson has lit the competition up with both bat and ball but he is just one part of an all-round powerful side. If this team fires it’s hard to see a real weakness. However, the attitude with the bat in particular at times has been questionable. Things have been too aggressive too often and it's cost them. However, they look certain to be there come finals time and after beating Colts last round the Tigers have gained a real psychological boost.
4 - Rugby (19)
Last year this is the person we were celebrating. This was the one getting married last year and the one who was the main attraction. But something is a little different now. After settling down they've quietened a bit. It’s just not quite the same even though you know a lot of what lit up last year is still there. But it seems the night life just isn't for them any more. There's still some glimpses of the old wild child within but we’re not that confident about seeing it burst out before the end of the night.
The defending premiers are not themselves this season. Rugby lost a host of players during the off-season and combine that with a bit of a premiership hangover and this season has just never got going. However, Rugby does seem to be "the best of the rest" and has beaten both Macquarie and Souths so far. They've pushed the teams above them as well but they just don’t have what it takes to topple the leading three this summer.
5 - Macquarie (15)
The veteran and the regular. Your uncle, or your grandma maybe. You've still just got to invite them because hey, it wouldn't be right without them. And despite them having been here and done it many, many times there is still that spark within them. And you really do want to see it again, everyone does. You've heard the stories about what they're capable of and sometimes you're not even sure if you believe it. Come on, give us a glimpse of what we really know you can do!
Macquarie has still got so much talent in its lineup. Jason Green, Ricky Medway, Dan Medway, Ed Haylock. The top order is as good as any in the competition but depth is a massive issue this season. The big names haven't really fired and that has seen the Blues struggle. Finals is already all but out of the equation but still, wouldn't it be great to see that supremely talented batting lineup fire a few times before the season is out? We know they’re capable of it.
6 - Souths (9)
You just know this person will be in bed before midnight. It’s a lock. It's a shame though because there's something really likeable about this person and they’re always good to be around. But they're a bit tired of nights out now. They’re there and they’ve been here many times before but they’re just never quite the main event.
Souths, after losing the past three grand finals, looks a pale imitation of itself this season. Winless at the bottom of the ladder and as painful as it is to say it's hard to see where the Hornets' breakthrough victory will come from. Mitch Bower is still one of the best going around but with him currently sidelined through injury and a bowling attack which has struggled to take wickets all summer the Hornets can already start planning for next season.
- This is purely a tongue-in-cheek look at the competition and the Daily Liberal in now way condones binge-drinking or anti-social behaviour. So if you are going out this silly season while the cricket’s not on, do so responsibly.