CONVERTING defence into points will be the key to ending the Dubbo Rams' winless streak in the 2016 Waratah League, according to senior player Dan Medway and coach Damien Reid.
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The Rams are on the road again this weekend as they take on the Wagga Wagga Heat, who recorded a decisive 77-46 victory over the Rams back in round three.
Medway said the side has improved their defence since last meeting the Heat, but will need to start translating that into points if they hope to get a win on the board.
"Coming out of our last game our defence was a lot better so we'll need to keep that up," Medway said.
"Probably where we need to improve is just in our offence and moving the ball.
"So that will be our goal this weekend and just to control the ball better and try to get a few more points on the board."
The Rams are yet to record a win in 2016, with their most recent defeat a 73-39 loss at the hands of the Shoalhaven Tigers on Saturday.
A win over the Heat would be a "pretty big upset", Medway said, but with continued improvement he hopes a win is not too far away.
"I think that the problem for the guys over the last couple of weeks is just trying to keep the defence up," he said.
"If we can try to score 10 to 20 points from our defence then we'll be right up there.
"The effort has been really good from everyone and we're all getting along great. We're doing all the right things at the moment - we just need to stay the course."
Reid agreed with Medway's analysis, adding the Rams will be hoping to contain US import Gage Daye, who is averaging about 43 points a game for the Heat this season.
"To be honest there are not many teams out there that can contain their import," Reid said.
"So if we can keep him below 30 points, hopefully we'll be in with a chance."
After Saturday's game, the competition takes a week off, during which the Rams will continue working hard on those conversions at training.
The break will allow time for "wounds to heal", Reid said, before they enjoy two consecutive home games against Lithgow Lazers and Shoalhaven Tigers.
Reid said he would like to see a few of the Rams' more senior players step up over the coming weeks.
"The senior players, myself included, we really need to step up," he said.
"Young Shane Brown has really put up a big effort the last couple of weeks and has been putting his points on the board.
"We just need some of the senior players to step up and pull a bit of the weight."
