CONFIDENCE - it is a quality which counts when it comes to winning games, so Rugby Union captain Ryan Peacock is pleased it is something his men will carry into the second half of the Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket season.
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At this stage last season Rugby had posted just one win, but so far in 2020-21 they have three, the most recent of which came against heavyweights Cavaliers.
It is a record which has them sitting fifth on the ladder and importantly has given Peacock's men confidence as well.
Peacock (100 versus Centrals) is one of the six players in the competition to have cracked triple figures thus far, while Hugh McIntyre (6-23 versus Kinross) and Jeremy Thackray (6-61 versus Cavaliers) have turned in big performances with the ball.
After falling six points short of making the finals last summer, Rugby are determined to do better this time around.
Here is how Peacock views the Rugby's season to date and what lies ahead.
OVERALL PROGRESS
THEY'VE won in a one-dayer, they've won in two-dayers, they've had a string of impressive individual performances - Rugby's season thus far is one that has Peacock satisfied.
For the captain the clear highlight was that 185-run triumph over Cavaliers before the mid-season break.
Not only were Rugby the first team to defeat the Orange powerhouse this season, but it was a performance which highlighted what Peacock's side has been working towards.
A strong batting performance was backed up with the ball and that Rugby was below full strength made it even better.
"I think the way we finished before the break shows the way we're headed, it doesn't get much better than that," Peacock said.
"It was pretty big because we only had two first grade bowlers really. We had our two opening bowlers and that was about it really, we were pretty strapped for players, and that we won at Wade Park as well made it even better.
"They sent us in probably thinking they could roll us and have a second crack at us, but we showed a bit of backbone which was good ... I think that just shows anyone is beatable."
BATTING
THOSE who are in form, keep building, those who are looking for runs, be patient, get set, then attack.
In Peacock's opinion that is the way forward for Rugby when it comes to batting.
While Peacock has been Rugby's best with the bat so far this season with 219 runs at 43.8, he hasn't been the only contributor.
Four more Rugby players have already hit a half century this season - Brad Glasson having gone beyond 50 twice - and Peacock wants to see the rest of the squad contribute in the run towards finals.
"It has been a bit of a weird one for us. That last game [against Cavaliers] showed that everyone can do a job as opposed to just myself or Glasso or Jameel shouldering most of it," he said.
"I think we are looking forwards batting-wise, we've got a bit of a system in place that I think is going to work for the other guys to spend a bit of time in the middle.
"It's just mainly to give yourself a bit of a chance to get in, which a lot of guys don't do and wonder why it gets easier after you get yourself in. So that's pretty much the gist of the plan really."
BOWLING
WHEN Rugby won a final-ball thriller against Kinross on October 10 they had Hugh McIntyre's bowling to thank and when upsetting Cavaliers, it had plenty to do with the efforts of seamer Jeremy Thackray.
While that pair have done most of the damage with the ball for Rugby - McIntyre's taken 13 wickets at an average of 16.62 and Thackray 11 at 19.45 - Peacock has been pleased with his bowling unit as a whole.
Importantly the bowlers are being backed up in the field as well.
"I think it's been pretty good really, our bowlers have won us a couple of games which has been really good," Peacock said.
"When we have everyone there I don't think our bowling has been an issue at all. The quicks have done their job and are starting to realise how to take wickets.
"The fielding has been backing that up of late, we fielded pretty badly in one game and haven't since then. That was against Orange City, we dropped a few catches.
"We spend most of the time in the field, so there's no reason why that shouldn't be the number one aspect of your game."
PLAYERS READY TO FIRE
WHEN you think of the the players who will be critical in Rugby's bid to make the finals, it is hard to look past Peacock and the Qureshi brothers Jameel and Imran.
That trio have a host of representative cricket to their credit and are proven leaders, but to think they are the only threats would be a mistake.
Peacock is tipping former skipper Sam Macpherson and Brad Glasson - who has hit 174 runs thus far - to step up with the bat, while he predicts Hugh McIntyre and Jonah Ruzgas to do more damage with the ball.
"I think there are few blokes really that I'd expect to stand up," he said.
"I think Sam Macpherson after hitting that 70-odd against Cavs, he's got that feeling of scoring runs back and that's good for him because he's a big confidence player I think.
"Jo Ruzgas and Hughie McIntyre with the ball will be pretty critical for us and Brad Glasson as well, that bloke has got boatloads of talent so I think he'll be pretty keen to get to the business end."
FINALS CHANCES
TWO points - that is all that currently stands between Rugby Union and a spot in the top four, so finals cricket is very much in the equation for Peacock's men.
In their three one-day matches to mark the return to play Rugby faces two teams currently sitting above them on the ladder - City Colts this Saturday then Orange City on January 23.
Though the two-day fixtures which follow will offer the prospect of more competition points, those two matches will offer a good picture of how Rugby's premiership credentials stack up.
"I am confident we can make it," Peacock said. "We have got Colts first game back which is a good one to have because they are just above us."