RUGBY'S powerful batting line-up fired on Saturday, giving the defending Whitney Cup premiers a strong chance of victory against South Dubbo next week.
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After claiming their first win in close to two months last week, Rugby continued their momentum at No. 3 on Saturday as they piled on 292.
The final wicket fell in the last over of the day, meaning the Hornets have it all in front of them next week.
Nathan Munro and Aidan Bennewith, two batsmen who have really stood up for Rugby this season, again made runs as they combined for a crucial 121 run partnership.
Munro top-scored with 86 while Bennewith made 53, building on the work done earlier by opener Mitch Bower, who made 57.
Munro and Bennewith came to the crease with game in the balance at 3-82 after Rugby had earlier begun patiently to be 0-24 after 10 overs.
Jordan Moran (8) and Harry Kempston (6) fell before the 20-over mark and after Bower was trapped in front shortly after passing 50 Munro and Bennewith then spent 25 overs in the middle together.
The impressive partnership was eventually broken by Adam Wells when he had Munro stumped.
Wells went on to take a further two wickets, including that of Bennewith, to finish with the figures of 3-50 while Tim Berry (2-40) and Scott Tucker (2-56) were the other multiple wicket-takers.
Teenagers Blake Watmore (17) and Tyler Woodrow (14) combined for a handy last-wicket partnership of 35 to help edge Rugby closer to 300.
The pressure will be on the likes of Souths' Berry, Wells, Asher Robins and Matt Finlay next week as the Hornets chase a win which would keep them within touching distance of the top three.
For Rugby, the strong play on day one sets up a great chance of victory and with Colts on top against Macquarie the defending premiers could be back in the top three by the end of next Saturday.
