South Dubbo players haven't had much to smile about this season but after Jimmy Kuntze's maiden half century, some hard hitting from Mitch Bower, and a late blitz from Scott Tucker, the Hornets have a golden chance to end their RSL-Whitney Cup campaign on a high.
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Kuntze's 53 was a standout moment at No. 3 on Saturday while Bower made 61 in Souths' total of 190 against Rugby.
As he has so many times this season, Jacob Hill stood tall for Rugby and finished with an outstanding 5/30 from 12.1 overs.
But it was Tucker who took centre stage late in the day, jagging 4/5 from 6.5 overs to reduce Rugby to 4/24 at stumps.
"It'd be good to go out on a high," teenager Kuntze said, looking ahead to next week.
"We haven't had some Twenty20 wins this season but it would be really nice to get there."
Kuntze is one of a host of young players who has been given the chance in the RSL-Whitney Cup this season.
After a host of off-season departures the Hornets put their faith in youth and while wins haven't appeared, the likes of Kuntze, Joe Yeo, and Oscar Robinson are just some of the younger players who have shown promise.
The biggest moment for Kuntze came on Saturday as the young gun based in Canowindra made the first 50 of his career.
"It was one of the better moments of the season for me," Kuntze said of his 53.
"We haven't played too well as a team but there has been a few good individual performances."
Kuntze was promoted to opener against a Rugby side also out of the finals race on Saturday and supported Corey McDean early (22) before the Hornets fell to 3/77.
Kuntze was joined by Western Zone captain Mitch Bower then and the experienced campaigner guided the youngster to his half century.
"He was good and helped me when things got a bit tough," Kuntze said of Bower.
"We batted through and he just helped me stay positive."
Kuntze reached his milestone to much applause from his teammates but he fell soon after, removed by Aidan Bennewith (1/38).
Bower became one of Hill's victims shortly after, going out with 61 from 87 balls, and the Rugby all-rounder went on to claim his five-wicket haul as the Hornets fell just short of 200.
Rugby then had to get through the last 13 overs of the day but that session completely belonged to Tucker.
Tucker, who has been one of many Souths players to miss a number of games this season, picked up the big wickets of Ben Wheeler (12) and Hill (4) on his way to finished with 4/5.
Glenn Shepherd (5 not out) and Aidan Bennewith (0 not out) will resume the chase next week.
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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.
