Nate Ambler showed maturity beyond his years on Sunday to guide Rugby to the RSL-Pinnington Cup grand final.
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The young gun made 65 not out at No. 2 Oval to help Rugby score a thrilling one-wicket semi-final win over Newtown.
In a match of real quality and good spirit, Ambler's 59-run partnership with Matt Naden (45) proved the difference after Newtown posted a competitive 176 on Saturday's first day of play.
Rugby resumed at 0/5 on Sunday and after reaching 31 without loss the men in sky blue lost 4/16 to suddenly be in real trouble.
But Ambler and Naden then combined to get things back on track before Mitch Lincoln helped Newtown come roaring back again.
The left-arm youngster took 5/23 in a valiant effort and when he removed Mitch Rosenbaum to leave Rugby at 9/167 the win was there for the taking.
But Darcy Chewings held up an end in fine fashion and made one of the most important 0 not outs seen this summer and helped Ambler get to the target.
The victory means Rugby now meet minor premiers RSL-Colts in next weekend's grand final.
Newtown had appeared on track for a grand final place on Saturday when Dwayne Kent guided the Tigers to a more than decent total.
Kent made 66 on day one after the Tigers won the toss and batted on a tricky pitch and outfield made slower by the rain on Friday.
The Tigers slumped to 2/4 early on but Kent and Jakob Short (38) got things ticking over again.
The pair added 71 for the third wicket before Short fell to Chewings.
The Rugby junior had a real impact on the game, even before he batted, as he removed Short and Kent as well as tailender Matt Hull (4).
Naden, another Rugby player who had a fine all-round game, bowled a miserly 2/14 from seven overs and played a major part in his side's demolition of the Newtown tail.
After being 4/130 at one stage the Tigers were all out for 176 and after Rugby survived three overs on Saturday they then got the job done in exhilarating fashion on Sunday.
Rugby, which finished third on the ladder, is now gearing up for a second grand final clash with Colts in three seasons.
Rugby would be eager to forget that game as they were rolled for just 65 in reply to Colts' day one total of 173.
More recently, the sides have met three times during this regular season.
Rugby won the first clash in round one before Colts won the next two meetings between the two.
The decider will be played at No. 2 next weekend.
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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.
