How having a 'family-oriented culture' can move this club back to the top

Kurt Toole isn't one to celebrate early, even after a major win against a competition powerhouse.

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Kurt Toole (main picture) is captaining the City Colts this season. Picture: Supplied.

Instead, the City Colts captain focuses on supporting his teammates, staying disciplined, and giving back to the game he loves.

It's a grounded mindset that could be the secret recipe to restoring Colts to the top of the Bathurst Orange Inter-District Cricket competition, especially off the back of a 46-run win over St Pat's Old Boys.

"I've learned a lot from the captains I've played under over the years, and I saw this as a chance to help bring the group together, support the younger players and make sure we're all working towards the same objectives," Toole said.

"I wanted to take on more responsibility and give something back to the club and repay them for the opportunity they gave me."

Toole credits his father for his cricket wisdom, noting that he not only taught him the game but also showed him how to stay resilient when things get tough.

"Having him there to guide me, teach me the game and support me made those early experiences really special," he said.

"I continue to play because cricket constantly challenges you to improve, and there's nothing quite like competing alongside your mates."

Despite finishing seventh last season, the Colts' strong culture and community spirit haven't wavered. Toole credited his team's tight-knit group as one of the main reasons he loves playing for the club.

"The vibe is really positive....there's a strong sense of togetherness across the club, a good mix of experience and emerging talent, and a genuine desire to succeed," he said.

"Colts has a family-oriented culture, and when you combine that with ambition and hard work, it creates a great environment to be part of."

Just two rounds into the season, the competition has already delivered high scores, crucial wickets, and early upsets.

While Bathurst City edged out Cavaliers by 16 runs last week, few could have predicted City Colts would pull off a stunning win against St Pat's this round.

Colts set the tone early with the bat as captain Toole (52) and Connor Brown (57) both raised their bats for half-centuries. Calvin Windus and Daniel Casey kept the momentum surging, doing their share of the heavy lifting with a vital 62-run partnership between them.

"Our approach was to bat first and build a strong platform, with the aim of batting for as long as possible without losing a wicket," Toole said.

"That would give the rest of the order the best opportunity to play positively without unnecessary pressure.

"Thankfully, everything came together on the day and the plan paid off and hopefully it's the start of more wins to come."

Although four St Pat's bowlers claimed a wicket apiece alongside three catches in the field, the defending premiers stumbled in response, losing their top order early and failing to recover under pressure.

St Pat's skipper Bailey Brien fell leg before wicket (LBW) to James Smith for one, before vice-captain Cooper Brien was removed for a duck by Inderjeet Saini.

Benjamin Parsons led a spirited fightback with a quickfire 58, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap as Colts' Daniel Casey's rapid pace tore through the order to collect a match-winning five-wicket haul.

"It gives us plenty of belief, particularly because St Pat's are such a strong and respected side," Toole said.

"It showed that our best cricket is good enough to challenge the top teams, but we also don't want to get ahead of ourselves as we know it's only one result.

"We need to keep working hard and bring that same intensity and discipline to every match."

Bathurst City 8/259 - Rugby Union 4/121. Bathurst City win.

Orange CYMS 5/168 - Centrals 10/166. Orange CYMS win.

City Colts 5/200 - St Pat's Old Boys 10/154. City Colts win.

Cavaliers 8/258 - Orange City 10/213. Cavaliers win.

Cavaliers celebrate a wicket in round one of the BOIDC competition. Picture by Shannon Germon.

After Newtown bounced back from last season's wooden spoon to defeat defending premiers Macquarie in round one, Dubbo CYMS ensured they wouldn't suffer the same fate in round two.

Dubbo CYMS held off a late scare from the Hornets to scrape home by eight runs. After choosing to bat, the 2025/26 runners-up were set up by a standout 73 off 54 balls from Adam McGuirk, alongside a solid 42 from Tom Barber before Ryan George broke through his stumps.

The two-man effort was just enough to steer CYMS clear of an early slump and keep their campaign on solid footing.

South Dubbo Hornets kept the pressure on through vice-captain Kane MacFarlane and Ryan George, who claimed two wickets each, while skipper Edward Murray contributed behind the stumps with a catch.

Despite falling just short, the tight finish marks a strong statement for the Hornets, showing a far more competitive side determined to climb the ladder this season.

Murray and Clay Neale were consistent with the bat and looked to be on a roll, but both were out before either could celebrate a half-century.

Dubbo CYMS shared the workload with the ball as Patrick Nelson, captain Ben Knaggs, and McGuirk snatched two wickets each, while five different players took catches in a sharp fielding display to tear through the Hornets' line-up.

All eyes turn to round three as Newtown tests its newfound form against Dubbo CYMS.

The match will prove if the 2025/26 runners-up can handle a dangerous, revamped Newtown squad.

Whitney Cup / T20 Megahit round two results:

Dubbo CYMS 5/140 - South Dubbo Hornets 7/132. CYMS win.

RSL Colts 6/140 - Macquarie Whitney Cup 8/116. Colts win.

Newtown Cricket Club: Bye.

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