RECTIFYING the ongoing issues with their batting will be Macquarie's number one priority in round five of the Whitney Cup.
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The Blues' match against Rugby starts at No.1 Oval on Saturday and the side are desperate to bounce back after suffering another low-scoring loss last round.
Chasing RSL-Colts total of 88, the Blues were dismissed for just 80, the second time this season they have gone down in a nailbiter.
In round one they fell short when chasing just 103 against South Dubbo and leading batsman Jason Green admits it's the difference between sitting on top of the ladder and their current fourth spot.
"Losing two games by seven or eight runs is very disappointing, we should be up near the lead," he said.
"It's all mental though, we've just been relying on the next bloke to do the job.
"We've spoke about it and hopefully it sinks in and these two games before Christmas, if we can win them we're on a roll but if we lose we're pushing uphill."
Things are vastly different in the Rugby camp with Jordan Moran's men scoring their first win of the Whitney Cup season last weekend.
Moran starred with the bat on day one, scoring a century before leg spinner Adrian Carey stole the show on day two with an incredible match-winning effort of 8-41.
Both man shape as key figures again this round and while Moran is one of the region's leading players and a potential Country NSW batsman, Green said he is more concerned about Carey's influence on the match.
"I know Jordan is getting runs but Adrian Carey is the danger more than Jordan for us," he said.
"Jordan is very important but in terms of the outcome of the game I think Adrian is more of a key player.
"They've got the openers, 'Brucey' (Jacob Bruce) and Dan Horrocks and a couple other bowlers and they go into 'Red' (Carey).
"I haven't really faced him before so it should be good but if we do get to bat first we need to get what we can and then come back the next week and knock them over."
As well as Moran and Carey, Bruce and Zac Murphy impressed with the bat against CYMS, adding 86 runs for the ninth wicket.
Nathan Munro and James O'Brien also provide plenty for Rugby while Macquarie will look to their own experienced players, Kieran Brien, Ben Taylor and Jeremy Dickson.