They’ve been one of the form sides in the competition since the Christmas break and Macquarie’s captain Keiran Brien feels his side hasn’t peaked yet.
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The defending premiers take on Rugby on Saturday in a one-day match after day one last week was abandoned due to a rain-affected pitch.
A win on Saturday will guarantee the Blues finals cricket while a loss may even be enough with fourth-placed CYMS expected to struggle chasing down South Dubbo’s total of 7/326.
“As we’ve said, we just want to keep winning and it will take care of itself,” Brien said.
“We didn’t want to rely on other results.”
Brien said playing a one-day match on the eve of finals may well benefit his side, with the chance to bowl and bat just one week out before the semis.
The skipper also confirmed someone like a Dalton Medcalf, often known for his power hitting in the mid-to-late order, could get a promotion and the chance to make a score before the business end of the season.
The likes of Medcalf have not had many opportunities this season due to the top order piling on runs on a number of occasions.
Jason Green has been a leader for the side again while Ed Haylock and Ricky Medway have both notched breakthrough centuries.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on anyone,” Brien said when asking if he wants his side to improve further.
“We could have scored more runs a couple of times and things might have gone differently but at the same time we aimed for the semis at the start of the season.”
While not pushing anyone to lift, Brien was in no doubt about his side’s potential.
“‘Rabs’ (Anthony Heraghty) has hardly scored a run all season and he’s a big-name player so he’ll be looking for a big score,” he said.
“‘Greeny’ will come into his own in semis and Ed and Rick Medway too.
“Those two have both got big scores this season and proven to themselves they can do it.
“Then there’s ‘B.T’ (Ben Taylor) too, he’s an experienced player and has got as many Whitney Cups as anyone so we’ve definitely got another gear to go.”
While keen for a crack at the finals, Brien was quick to point out his side can’t get too carried away before the match against Rugby.
The skipper pointed to the likes of Jordan Moran and Nathan Munro, saying the “Rugby of old” was capable of anything.
Munro’s side has battled for consistency much of the season and a loss on Saturday will condemn them to back-to-back wooden spoons.
“They can come out and throw the bat and end up with 300 runs easy so we’ve got to turn up ready to play because there’s no doubt they want to win,” Brien said.
Play begins at 1pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
