The Tigers moved to the top of the ladder after downing Colts last round and on Saturday they routed Rugby and have wrapped up first innings points already.

Making that feat the more impressive was how poorly the Newtown side started the match.

The Tigers, missing captain Mat Skinner, were 8/96 at one point with each of the major batsmen back in the sheds.

The tail had Newtown scratch its way to 154, with Trent Smith (18), Tom Barber (17) and Lee Price (15) all chiming in.

Baye Wallace and Jacob Bruce were the standout bowlers and each finished with four wickets for Rugby.

It was the Newtown bowlers who dominated late in the day as they completely dismantled the Rugby lineup.

With a number of key players missing, Rugby was rolled for just 63 with more players making ducks than double figures.

Steve Skinner was the chief destroyer, taking 4-6 from 8.1 overs, while Ben Patterson and Lee Price chimed in with two wickets each.

With a lead of 91 runs and a full 75 overs remaining, the Tigers are in prime position to score an outright win.

If that result does occur, it would give Newtown a giant step towards the minor premiership and automatic progression to the 2018/19 grand final.

Rugby will be desperate to avoid an outright and the side's hopes will be boosted by the return of Jacob Hill, Ben Wheeler, and Aidan Bennewith on day two of the clash.

Captain Mat Skinner will be back for Newtown.