The Newtown Tigers are focusing on the positives after Rugby "taught everyone in Dubbo a lesson" at Victoria Park No 1 Oval on Saturday.
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The Tigers had been hoping for an outright win after they dismissed Rugby for just 63 during part one of the two-day fixture.
But after Newtown extended their lead to 267 in a quick-fire 20 overs on Saturday, Rugby dug in, batting through the day to finish 7-125 - depriving Newtown of any bonus points in the process.
"We played pretty well and it was probably better to play the whole day out," said Newtown all-rounder Ben Patterson.
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"We're expecting that type of tough cricket come finals time and it's a good approach for us to learn now, considering we're a short format team.
"They were really gritty … just dug in and they didn't try pay anything rash, they were under pressure but took it in their stride and kept going.
"They probably just taught everyone in Dubbo a lesson with the way they batted."
The day after taking out the McDonalds Megahit Twenty20 final, Newtown continued their big-hitting ways, scoring as many as 19 runs off a single over.
Wayne Dunlop (65) and captain Mat Skinner (48) were the key partnership, combining for 88 runs and racking up about 20 boundaries between them.
But Rugby was not without its stars, Jacob Hill (2-37), Ben Rosenbaum (2-40), Baye Wallace (1-39) and Jacob Bruce (1-39) sharing the wickets.
But Charlie Kempston (13) and Doug Potter (21 not out) did enough to keep the score ticking over, and the Tigers declared at 6-176.
With a lead of 276 the Tigers were feeling confident, but Rugby's Campbell Rose (22), Aidan Bennewith (44) and Hill (21 not out) had other ideas.
"They stuck their hand up and showed that anyone can do the job," Patterson said.
"It's just how determined you are, and their determination was probably a bit better than ours.
"They've showed how two day cricket can be played. It was actually really good to watch."
Patterson himself was the pick of Newtown's bowlers, claiming 3-21 including the crucial wicket of opener Nathan Munro (4).
He admitted he's been focused on hitting "the top of pad length … and try and squeeze", acknowledging he was less sure of himself in the longer format than in Twenty20s, where "I'm pretty confident in my ability to get a team over the line".
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Patterson had stronger praise for medium pacer Jesse Spang, labelling the 16-year-old "one to watch for the future".
"Jesse Spang sort of led the way. The role he played was underrated yesterday," Patterson said.
"He took an absolute screamer at short leg and he bowled beautifully.
"Our fielders took their chances and that's the key to winning these finals."
Patterson played down the loss of the bonus they would have received had they won outright on Saturday.
"We've got a few wins on the board and a lot of momentum going into to the finals," he said.
"If we win and go through, beautiful. But if we don't I think we've got the ability [to win the semi final] and we go through anyway.
"I think it's our year."