The Goldminers are currently fifth on the ladder with four wins and seven losses, but Dubbo are just one position ahead of them due to their four wins and just six loses.

In contrast the struggling Panthers have won just two games from 11 attempts so far in 2009.

Going into the match at the Bathurst Indoor Sports Stadium, the ’Miners are full of confidence after claiming a four-point victory against the Panthers in March.

Back then poor ball retention by both teams saw the opening quarter deteriorate into a scrappy affair. Locked at 15-all, Penrith stepped up the pace in the second quarter to take a 30-27 lead at half-time.

Fortunately for the ’Miners, Youth League players Chiara Porter (17 points) and Sarah Murray (10) came to the rescue.

The extra legs allowed the ’Miners to lift their game in the final term and outscore the Panthers to win 58-54.

However, Bathurst coach Matt Chapman said his side could not rely on past results.

“In our last game against them I think we only won by just a few points and that was with Sarah Murray and Chiara Porter playing with us from the Youth League squad,” he said.

“It is not going to be an easy game, I think the girls have got to go in expecting a tough, hard match.”

Chapman said while he was not sure who would be taking to the court for the ’Miners, they needed to believe in themselves.

“They are a very inconsistent team, I don’t like to admit it, but they’ve shown a lot of inconsistency,” he said.

“Some games they’ve come out and played well above the other teams that are there and other times they don’t click.

“But when they do [click] as far as I’m concerned I think they are a top two team.

“They have got to want to win, sometimes when they are out there I feel like they don’t want it. When they are out there wanting the win they play with confidence and are a lot better team.”

Chapman quickly added the fact they should be playing in front of a large home crowd would definitely have a huge impact on the outcome of the match.

“It is good for Bathurst basketball in general, it shows how strong the association is at the moment with numbers and the interest,” he said.

“It is definitely a bonus playing at home with the crowd.”

The Bathurst Goldminers with go head-to-head with the Penrith Panthers at 5pm on Saturday.