The Roos lost just three games after Christmas — including the grand final to Mount Beauty — after entering the New Year with just one win to their name.

Yackandandah sits sixth on the ladder with games against Baranduda and Bethanga to complete before the break and young skipper Tom Russell is satisfied with the club’s position.

“The goal before Christmas was to win more than we lose,” he said.

“I think last Christmas we were bottom of the ladder.

“We proved anything can happen last year and we are in a better position this year.”

The Roos are in the box seat to record their fourth win of the season today.

They are defending 330 away to fifth-placed Baranduda, which has a highest score of 162 and needs an excellent start to be any chance in the run chase.

Logan Hayward, who made a half-century last week, is unavailable for the Roos, who will bring in all-rounder Daniel Atwell.

Russell is confident of defending the total.

“We think we have the bowlers in the shed to do it,” the 21-year-old said.

“But it’s a pretty flat wicket and a quick outfield so we’ll have to play well to defend it.”

The club’s biggest score of the campaign was set up by half-centuries to Hayward, Russell and Ewan Kelly, while six other players reached double figures.

Russell said the Roos had to produce similar batting form on a regular basis if they were to challenge for honours.

“It certainly was our best performance of the year,” he said.

“It put a lot of confidence into everyone that batted.”

In other games, Howlong needs 118 runs with seven wickets in hand to win at home against Kiewa; Mount Beauty is 1-7 chasing New City’s 234 at Urana Road Oval; Barnawartha-Chiltern needs 150 with seven wickets in hand to win at Dederang and Wodonga Raiders will resume 8-155 after passing Eskdale’s 129 at Birallee Park.