Macquarie is playing its best cricket of the season currently but captain Ed Haylock is refusing to get frustrated about what could have been.
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The Blues can't reach the runaway top three but are headed for a third successive RSL-Whitney Cup win after a century from their skipper put them in a commanding position against the battling South Dubbo.
Haylock made 129 at No. 2 Oval on Saturday as Macquarie piled on 352 against the winless Souths.
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South captain Mitch Bower returned from injury and changed from spin to seam-up for most of the day on his way to finishing with 7-81 but the day still belonged to the Blues.
Making the day even more satisfying for Haylock was Jason Green, the regular rock in the innings, made a first ball duck.
"We've been a bit disappointing with the bat this season so to bat the 75 (overs) was really good," Haylock said.
"Good partnerships really set us up. Normally we're over reliant on 'Greeny' but he got a duck on Saturday. To bat the day and make 350 without him was really pleasing for me, as captain."
Bower picked up the day's first three wickets, removing key men Dan Medway (8), Ricky Medway (36), and Green (0) to have the Blues wobbling at 3/49.
Haylock, batting at five, received great support from Ryan O'Connor (64) and Beau Westcott (46) on his way to reaching triple figures for the first time in the Whitney Cup this season.
"It's been a long-time coming," he said.
"I set my standards fairly high and it's been a bit of a disappointing season so it was nice to spend some time out there.
"I batted in a couple of decent partnerships and that helped us keep level-headed. When there is no genuine leader and threat in the bowling attack it can be hard to keep your head all day so I really made an effort to do that."
Haylock was eventually dismissed by South Dubbo wicketkeeper Corey McDean, who entered the attack after opening bowler Lachlan Rayner was banned for bowling for the day after a number of dangerous full tosses.
Bower provided the lone shining light for Souths, taking an outstanding and valiant 7/81 from 26.2 overs.
While the Blues are well on top and have put together a string of strong performances, Haylock said this season wasn't all about finals.
"It is a little frustrating but from what we lost in the off-season to get this far," Haylock said.
"It would have been nice to win some of the close ones early on but this season was always about rebuilding."
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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.
