Before the RSL-Whitney Cup season began, Newtown captain Mat Skinner knew he had a side that could make a real impact on the competition.
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But he never got too far ahead of himself and the goal for 2018/19 was always to make the finals.
The Skinner's side has gone one better than that and that minor premiership and a place in this season's grand final has been confirmed after Newtown crushed CYMS inside a day.
The clash between sides one and three on the ladder was expected to be a tight affair which would give a real indication of the looming finals series.
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The only thing which it showed was a Newtown team which will take some beating in the decider.
The Tigers bowling unit again shone as CYMS was rolled for just 90 at No. 2 Oval.
Wayne Dunlop then banged 55 as the Tigers reached the target in 26 overs, sealing a double bonus point win inside the first day of the two-day contest.
"We weren't expecting that result," Skinner said.
"We were just focused on getting a win but a double bonus point win and securing the minor premiership is really good."
With both sides unable to move from their current positions, Skinner and CYMS counterpart Ben Knaggs shook hands when Newtown reached the target and agreed that match was over and no cricket would be payed next week.
That means Newtown now don't have a match until the grand final on the weekend of March 30, as the semi-final between CYMS and RSL-Colts follows next weekend.
"I think it's a good thing," Skinner said of the two weeks off.
"It gives a few blokes like Doug Potter a rest. He's been struggling with a hamstring injury and 'Patto' (Ben Patterson) had a sore back so it will be good for them to have a rest and it will be good for us.
"We'll train as normal and then maybe we'll have a centre wicket hit on Saturday so we'll stay in touch and won't slacken off.
"I think it's a positive."
Newtown's Trent Smith knocked over Tom Coady (1) in the third over the day and from then on it was one-way traffic.
Ben Patterson (3/12) claimed the big wicket of Brock Larance when he bowled the Australian under 17s representative with a peach of a delivery while Smith was also a standout and took 3/40 from 15 overs.
Lachlan Strachan was the only CYMS batsmen to show any real fight and finished 27 not out.
"I'm really pleased with our bowling," Skinner said.
"Trent hasn't bowled a long spell like that for a while so it was good for him to get through those few overs. 'Patto' was tight and a bit sore so he wasn't a full pace but still bowled well dropping it back a few gears.
"Then there's me, Lee Price, and Jesse Spang and who can all do the same kind of thing and then Steve (Skinner) keeps it tight, too."
Wayne Dunlop made the most of some short bowling from Ben Strachan early on and got the run rate ticking as the Tigers chased the double bonus point.
He fell for 55 as wickets tumbled late on but the Tigers still reached the target with ease to secure top spot.
"With the team we had finals was the first step we expected," Skinner said.
"The minor premiership is a little icing on top but I knew we had a good team but we knew CYMS and Colts were good too."