Dave Henderson's does damage for City Colts in first day against CYMS

Henderson finished with season-best figures of 5-24 from his 17 overs, and his economy rate of 1.41 might be even more impressive than the five wicket haul itself.

The tight lines from Henderson were too much for the CYMS order to handle - four of the wickets were either bowled or LBW.

Dave Rogerson fared well in just his second match back from a long term injury, securing the key wickets of Tom Belmonte (10) and CYMS skipper Hugh Le Lievre (18).

CYMS were all out for a below-par 203 runs, but they have Dave Neil to thank for helping them post a competitive score.

Neil was the clear standout for the visitors who could have found themselves in big trouble if not for his knock of 87.

He was stopped short of a century when caught and bowled for the final wicket by Wayne Sellers.

Colts can be considered slightly ahead in the match, as they prepare to resume their chase of 203 at 3-96 next Saturday.

Sellers will resume at 38 not out, already with four sixes to his name.

Henderson said it was good for the team to experience a strong day in the field after what's been a tough season for the team.

"We've tried to be consistent all year but the boys haven't had much luck unfortunately. They're a good bunch of boys and hopefully we'll come back bigger and better next year. We've got a force to be reckoned with when we click together," he said.

"We're in a good spot. Wayne Sellers is batting really well at the moment so hopefully we can get a few guys to stick in there with him. Patty Hill's looking set so hopefully we can get ourselves a win and some confidence in the bank.

"They'd be disappointed with what they got, but we let it slip a bit towards the end on that last wicket."

Not the finest of beginnings came the way of CYMS when Matt Baker (1) was forced to retire and Anthony Spruce (10) and Belmonte fell in quick succession to have the team at 3-23.

Hugh and Angus (20) Le Lievre settled the nerves for CYMS before Aquinder Dhillon (39) and Neil put on 58 runs for the sixth wicket.

Al Dhatt's season high knock of 11 was a showcase of great supportive play, as he and Neil added 42 runs for the final wicket - runs which could come back to haunt Colts on day two.

Colts may be out of the finals hunt but for fifth-placed CYMS they're still right in it, and failure to stop the Bathurst side from reaching their total could spell doom for their hopes.