Two big wins and hosting rights for the Western Zone Premier League is almost assured.
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That's what is driving Mat Skinner and his Dubbo side heading into the final two rounds of the Western Zone Premier League season.
Dubbo, currently in a share of top spot on the ladder with Bathurst, welcomes Orange at No. 1 Oval on Sunday before a final round match at Cowra on February 14.
"We're hoping to get the win this weekend to wrap up a place in the final and if we win again we should host the final, which would be a big advantage," Skinner said.
There's a confident feel within the Dubbo side heading into Sunday's game, with wins over Parkes and Mid West and a rain-enforced draw with Bathurst coming from the first three rounds.
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Dubbo also heads into the match knowing they produced one of their best performances with the bat in some time last time they met Orange.
A hugely aggressive Dubbo side piled on 6/300 in last season's victory, with Charlie Kempston and Jacob Hill getting the side off to a flaying start early on their way to making half centuries while the captain also chimed in with 56 not out that day.
"It's sort of the way the other towns see Dubbo, as the flat track bullies," Skinner said, looking back at that day and the way his side played.
"We're a team that tends to take advantage when we get a flatter pitch and we're pretty dangerous if one or two of our top five fire."
The captain is well aware if the Dubbo batting lineup fires then any side would find it hard to defeat his side.
They're definitely not a walkover.
- Mat Skinner on Orange
It's easy to see why with Ben Wheeler, Tom Coady, Marty Jeffrey, and Mitch Bower having already made centuries in the RSL-Whitney Cup this season - the latter two in the past month - while Charlie Kempston also heads into Sunday's match in blistering form.
Throw in Thomas Nelson, Jacob Hill and the skipper himself and it's a lineup the envy of most others.
"But Orange will have a good bowling attack," Skinner said.
"Ed Morrish and Hugh Le Lievre both played Western Zone and and have a good idea of what our side is capable of so it should be a good match-up.
"They're definitely not a walkover."
The Dubbo side has been a stable one in recent times and the same core group will be in action again on Sunday but Colts' leading wicket-taker Ben Semmler does come in for the unavailable Lee Price.
"He's been available for the last half-dozen or so games but with our bowling unit firing it's been hard to find room for him," Skinner said.
"But with Lee Price out he's got an opportunity to really show what he can do."
Semmler joins a bowling attack which knocked over Mid West for just 43 in Dubbo's last match.
Orange has had two washouts and a loss to Bathurst so far this season.
Play starts 10am.
- DUBBO: Mat Skinner (c), Charlie Kempston, Ben Wheeler, Mitch Bower, Tom Coady, Thomas Nelson, Jacob Hill, Marty Jeffrey, Steve Skinner, Ben Knaggs, Bailey Edmunds, Ben Semmler.
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.
