RUGBY UNION skipper Sam Macpherson knows his side is in for a tough game on Saturday afternoon against Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade rivals City Colts, but that is just the way he likes it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Saturday’s match at George Park 2 will see many players who are club-mates in different sporting codes turn rivals, but Macpherson feels that adds to the enjoyment of the contest.
“We’ve always had good games with City Colts. Both teams like each other a fair bit and it’s always good, tough cricket,” he said.
“A lot of us are friends from other things, City Colts are my favourite team to play against. They just play tough cricket, they are a very good team and very competitive and play in the right manner.”
The two have already met this season with Rugby winning by 110 runs, good bowling seeing the Bulldogs defend a total of 275.
That result continued Rugby’s good run of success in one-day matches against City Colts.
The last time Colts beat Rugby in the 40-overs-a-side format was on October 27, 2012. That one-wicket win came down to the second last ball of the match.
If Macpherson and his team-mates can continue their good run in one-dayers against Colts on Saturday, it will mean they remain in the competition lead.
Rugby currently sits one point ahead of Bathurst City, while City Colts are a further three points back in third.
“We’re only on top because Bathurst City lost two points, but we’ll take it. They lost them because they didn’t put covers on one game,” Macpherson said.
“I think we deserve to be up there, so do Bathurst City though. We’ve been playing good cricket and are happy to be where we are, but it doesn’t really mean anything yet.”
After being part of the Western Zone side which won the Country Championships last Sunday, talented all-rounder Ryan Peacock returns to Rugby’s first XI.
But the Bulldogs will be without Mitch Curle, Scott Johnston and Ben Hurford, while injury means Nathan Swards will not bowl against Colts.
Still, Macpherson believes the side Rugby will field on Saturday has the potential to make it win number six for the season.
“We are lucky that at our club we’ve got good depth, so a lot of second graders can play first grade. It’s a good problem to have at the moment,” he said.
“So we’ll have a competitive team again, it’s probably a bit stronger than last week’s team.”
Both teams head into Saturday’s match on the back of a win, Colts having downed Centennials last week while Rugby beat St Pat’s.