RUGBY have been inconsistent throughout this season's Whitney Cup but Mitch Bower believes his side is a strong chance of defending their title after qualifying for the finals on Saturday.
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In a winner takes all match against Macquarie, Rugby recorded a 70-run win and leapfrogged the Blues into third spot in the process.
The win means Rugby now play Newtown in next week's semi-final and Bower said his side was rediscovering their best form at the right time.
"It's semis now so it doesn't matter what's happened in the season or who's beaten who, if we win this we're in the grand final," he said.
"It's do or die and we're going to give it our best shot."
Saturday was dominated by Rugby's seam attack with Ben Taylor (3-46) and Blake Watmore (2-39) outstanding and more than valuable support provided by Jacob Bruce (3-44) and Tyler Woodrow (1-21).
The day began with Macquarie resuming at 1-33 in reply to Rugby's day one score of 235.
Only 10 runs were added before Richard Hawker (15) was run out by Bruce and it was soon 3-56 when night watchman Shane Dupille was bowled by Taylor.
When Watmore trapped Ian Marchant (1) in front Macquarie were in real trouble but with Keiran Brien and Sidhu Shaik at the crease the Blues were still well in the hunt.
But Bruce picked up the huge wicket of Brien (15) to give his side all the momentum.
A 55-run partnership between Shaik and Justin Gavin settled things but when Gavin fell for 16 it was the beginning of the end.
The tail offered little resistance with Shaik's impressive 62 the only highlight for the Blues in a season-ending loss.
The last five wickets fell for 26 runs and last season's runners-up were all out for 165.
"The pitch was a bit more hard and flat so there was a bit more bounce and everyone bowled well," Bower said, before praising spearhead Ben Taylor.
"He's been the backbone of our bowling, to have him keep charging in holds our bowling together but they all bowled well. Blake Watmore was a real standout but didn't have any luck."
Despite a comprehensive win and a finals spot confirmed, Bower said there's still areas his side need to improve.
"We still need to get more out of batters," he said.
"Excluding Jordan (captain Jordan Moran), everyone needs to pull up their socks. We can't keep relying on him so we need to do a bit more."
Despite their inconsistencies this season one thing which has never waivered has been Rugby's self-belief and Bower admitted his side has no doubts they can be lifting the Whitney Cup again in two weeks' time.
"We know we can beat anyone, we've just got to play well and we're starting to do that," he said.