In a new addition to the Daily Liberal's coverage of the RSL-Whitney Cup this season, each week we'll look at some of the major talking points coming out of the first grade competition in the Quick Singles series.
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It might be good, it might be bad, it might just be something we find funny. Either way, it's more of a look at what's happening in one of the bush's strongest club competitions.
Here's what caught our attention on Saturday.
1. The not-so-young Hornets
The last couple of years the talk around South Dubbo has been focused on the number of young players blooded in the top grade.
Much has been made of the many players who have departed, and it's been the club's youngsters who have been forced to step up and fill the void.
They may still be there now, but the average age was a little higher on the weekend.
Souths veteran John Colwell, regarded by many as "the master blaster" during his previous time in the top grade, was back and immediately made his presence felt by top-scoring.
With Colwell back and Greg Rummans having also returned to the first grade team to be alongside the likes of skipper Adam Wells, Ed Knight, and Josh Williams Souths is no longer just a team of kids.
The experience shows as well, with the know-how in the team helping the side make it back-to-back wins in first grade.
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2. Spray falls on deaf ears
Okay, spray might be harsh. But it was definitely strong words spoken by RSL-Colts captain Marty Jeffrey in the lead-up to Saturday's match.
He accused his side of lacking respect for the opposition and more application was needed if they were to get back to winning ways.
"I've put the onus back on the batsmen and someone needs to do the job. I'm included in that," he said, with a number of players having made starts without going on to reach a big score.
Well, nothing changed on Saturday.
Colts was dismissed for less than 200 and it was Jeffrey again who missed out.
He made 60 and had got his side in a strong position but when he fell the end came soon for the men in red.
The batting lineup is desperate to have someone to build around but it's just not happening. And that's why they've only won the once this season.
3. Have we seen the last of the Cougar collapse?
Ah, the Cougars collapse. It's a phrase everyone in the RSL-Whitney Cup community is familiar with. Along with Wayne Dunlop belting a short ball, Wes Giddings talking from gully, and Mick Kempston being nervous before batting it's been one of the most common things in recent competition history.
But are things changing? While before CYMS would often go from a score like 1/80 to 6/120, twice now this season the young Cougars have produced pretty clinical run chases.
CYMS were never truly worried in round two when tasked with chasing down South Dubbo's 230 and not much of a sweat was broken in Saturday's win over Newtown.
Granted, the frantic start provided by graduation-bound Brock Larance and Thomas Nelson helped but captain Ben Knaggs was particularly composed in guiding his side to victory.
The young side is quickly becoming a more composed and mature one and that could see the side go further than last season's semi-final spot.
Barry Hildebrandt Medal tally
Every season the Daily Liberal's sports team awards a three, two, one each round in first grade. We'll give updates each round until Christmas, when voting goes behind closed doors.
Here's how this campaign's race is shaping up:
- 6: Ricky Medway (Macquarie),
- 5: Dan Medway (Macquarie), Bailey Edmunds (CYMS), Marty Jeffrey (RSL-Colts)
- 4: Brock Larance (CYMS), Lachlan Strachan (CYMS), Koda Sissian (Rugby), Adam Wells (Souths)
- 3: Steve Skinner (Newtown), Jacob Hill (Rugby), Ben Knaggs (CYMS), John Colwell (Souths), Doug Potter (Newtown)
- 2: Ben Semmler (Colts), Luke Carman (Macquarie), Roland O'Connor (Rugby), Tom Coady (CYMS), Lachie Rayner (Souths)
- 1: Angus Norton (Souths), Lee Price (Newtown), Aidan Bennewith (Rugby), Lochie Endacott (Souths), Mat Skinner (Newtown), Charlie Kempston (Colts), Jason Green (Macquarie), Joey Haylock (Macquarie), Dan French (Newtown), Anthony Atlee (RSL-Colts).
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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.
