RSL-Colts' Jason Ryan has started the RSL-Whitney Cup finals mind games early, questioning if Newtown made the right decision during an action-packed opening day of the final round on Saturday.
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Only one of the three first grade matches will go to a second day after Colts cruised past Macquarie and Newtown secured the minor premiership with a massive win over CYMS.
Colts and CYMS will now enjoy next week off before meeting in a sudden death semi-final, while Newtown has two weeks of no cricket before the decider.
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"It's different for Newtown having two weeks off. I expected them to play on next week," Ryan said after making 40 not out in Colts' four-wicket win on Saturday.
"It's always a bit iffy when you finish first and have that one week off. Some like it and some don't so I'm not sure how having two weeks off will affect them.
"Two weeks off isn't really natural this time of year but it's totally up to them."
Colts went into Saturday in second spot and in need of a comprehensive win over Macquarie and a Newtown loss to be any chance of stealing the minor premiership.
The men in red did their part, getting past Macquarie on day one, but with the Tigers having locked up top spot there will be no reason to return for a second innings next week.
On a No. 1 Oval pitch which offered something for the bowlers almost all day, Colts took a little time to get going with the ball before ripping through the Blues lineup.
Brothers Ricky (30) and Dan Medway (13) offered a little resistance at the top but once they fell the Blues struggled to build a partnership as a consistent Colts attack knocked them over for 117.
Nathan Finlay, stepping up to the first grade side, bagged 3/17 after Ben Semmler (2/19) and Tom Atlee (2/33) had done the damage with the new ball.
"It was a pretty decent effort," Ryan said.
"We didn't really set the world on fire but Macquarie had nothing to play for really. Once we got that first wicket we got on a roll and bowled betters areas and went on to get the result we wanted.
"We can't complain. There was nothing more we really could have done."
Colts lost early wickets in the chase as they chased quick runs but once they head Newtown was destroying CYMS the brakes were applied and Ryan guided his side to a comfortable win.
Ryan felt the week off will be a positive for his side before the semi-final clash with CYMS at No. 1 Oval on March 23 and 24.
"It's not a bad thing. If we'd finished minor premiers we would have gone on to have a week off anyway," he said.
"We'll enjoy the week off and I know Tommy Atlee has got a decent workload at CHS cricket in Sydney all week so the week off will be good for him."
It also gives Colts that bit longer to plan for a meeting with a CYMS side they beat just one round ago.
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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.
