MACQUARIE will get a legitimate test of their Whitney Cup credentials across the next two Saturdays when they face second-placed RSL-Colts at Lady Cutler 2.
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The Blues are in a strong position to make the 2015-16 finals, and in a season described by many as the closest in recent memory, would be confident of their premiership chances should they make the top three
A win over Colts would all-but seal their spot in the semi-finals, but beating club that has been the dominant force in Dubbo cricket for the past decade is easier said than done.
With Jeremy Dickson and Ben Taylor leading an attack that also features Mitch Williams-Hedges, Brad Johnson and Dan Medway, Macquarie has the capability to rip through any batting line-up.
But aside from Jason Green, who has smashed 602 runs at an average of 102.5, the rest of the batting has been up and down.
That will need to improve against a Colts side playing with the threat of losing competition points still hanging over their head.
While their finals spot is safe if they hang on to the points lost in a recent win over Newtown, the uncertainty of the situation means they will come out hard to ensure they give themselves every chance to defend their title regardless of the outcome of their appeal.
In the round's other fixture, fifth-placed Rugby and cellar-dwellers CYMS will do battle at Lady Cutler 3.
Neither side can make the 2015-16 finals series but with just 3.1 points separating them on the competition ladder, the outcome of the next two weeks will probably determine who finishes the season with the wooden spoon.
Despite winning just two games so far this season, Rugby still boasts the third-leading run scorer in the Whitney Cup in the form of Jordan Moran (423 runs at an average of 84.6) and the competition's leading wicket taker, leg-spinner Adrian Carey (30 wickets at an average of 20.07). Those figures, combined with the fact CYMS are coming off an outright loss in their last outing, should ensure they start slight favourites.