ROVERS United Bruck will head into tomorrow’s one-day clash against Benalla Bushrangers as heavy favourites as they look to hit the break in form. The Hawks have been the standout team of the season thus far, sitting atop of the overall ladder and with one-day games against the Bushrangers and Beechworth to come, are firming to finish 2024 at the top. However, they currently languish second last on the one-day ladder after they faced last round’s bye with the two-day games turning into one-dayers due to rain and their bye points going towards the two-day ladder. “Having the bye last round and then those games turning into one-dayers has stitched us up a bit,” RUB skipper Paddy McNamara said. “Our bye meant we didn’t get any points for the one-day side of things, so we need to try and win our next two and get up the one-day ladder a bit. “It’s a tight competition and every game’s a must win.” While the Bushrangers are yet to win a game, they peeled off a 164 with the bat in last weekend’s one-day loss to the Magpies, while they made 199 against City Colts in a two-day game the week before. “They’ve got players who can make runs so it’s not going to be an easy win,” McNamara said. “Brayden Stepien hasn’t quite got going yet but he’s capable of making a big score so we’re going to have to get him out early. “James Carboon and Jonty Priest made runs last weekend too.” With a 5-1 record to start the season, McNamara is eager to hit the break in prime position. “It’d be huge for us to go into the break on top and set ourselves up for a big second half of the year,” he said. “Anyone can win on their day so if we have a game or two advantage it would be really valuable.”
