Much of the talk around the RSL-Whitney Cup this season has revolved around the "big three" of RSL-Colts, CYMS, and Macquarie but Newtown captain Mitch Russo wants his side in the conversation.
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The Tigers may only have one win to their name in what has been a rain-affected season up this point but the table doesn't tell the full story.
After a win over South Dubbo in the opening round, Newtown pushed CYMS before ultimately suffering a five-wicket loss while they fell only 18 runs short against Macquarie after knocking over the Blues' highly-regarded batting lineup for just 148.
"We're one of the underdog teams and not many people are giving us much of a chance but to know we gave CYMS and Macquarie a run for their money means we're up there matching it with the best," Russo said.
"They are the top three but I think we've got the team and the right balance in our side to really challenge them and sneak into the finals, if not finish higher."
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After two washed out weekends early in the season, Newtown is back to meeting Souths again on Saturday.
The two will do battle at Lady Cutler 2 and the Hornets head into the contest having failed to win a match yet this season.
It was always going to be another rebuilding season for Souths but Russo knows his side still needs to stay switched on in what is a match they need to be winning.
There's also a little added pressure given they head into the fixture without leading all-rounder and former premiership-winning captain Mat Skinner.
Skinner is unavailable for the match and Russo is all too aware it leaves some big shoes to fill.
"These are the games you need to win," Russo said, before looking at Skinner's absence.
"He's one of our biggest assets and one of our best players so filling his spot is always going to be tough."
While Skinner is absent, the Tigers have attracted some new faces in recent weeks.
After the collapse of the South Dubbo United second grade team, Yogi Chawla and Rajat Rai have linked with Newtown and both have been named for Saturday.
Chawla impressed in his Tigers debut, taking 2/35 against Macquarie, and while both will have a job to do on Saturday the captain is looking for some of his senior players to step up.
Rawat Theme has impressed early in the season and made 71 against CYMS and Mat Skinner has made two half centuries but the next best score after that is Russo's 25 against Macquarie.
"We're looking to the older heads to pull us through in this situation," Russo said.
"Steve (Skinner) is always up for a challenge and likes to test himself and Dan French, those older heads can get us across the line."
Souths will be without a number of younger players due to representative commitments while captain Greg Rummans is also out as he coaches the Western Zone under 16s side.
Adam Wells will captain the side in his absence and Russo highlighted the stand-in skipper and Tom Byrnes as the danger men for Souths.
Elsewhere on Saturday, CYMS and Colts meet in a bumper battle at No. 1 Oval while Macquarie takes on Newtown at Lady Cutler 3.
All matches start at 1pm on Saturday.
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