THEY’RE coming off a huge 10-0 victory last start, but even with confidence at an all-time high, Orange Wanderers player-coach Keiran Gentles said his troops are fully aware they face their biggest test of the men’s Premier League Hockey season so far this weekend.

Wanderers will make the 117km road trip down the Great Western Highway to Lithgow, to meet perennial contenders Panthers in Saturday’s blockbuster round seven clash - easily the pick of this round’s match-ups.

Wanderers are third at the moment, with four wins and two losses, while Panthers are second with three wins, two draws and one defeat. Both sides have earned 16 competition points, but the latter jumps ahead thanks to goal difference.

“Lithgow are always there or thereabouts, so it will be a good test for us and a good indicator of where we are as a side,” Gentles said.

“We’ve proven so far this year we can match it with the best in this competition ... so we’re going over very confident.

“There’s a good vibe in the group, we’re training really well and the younger guys are continuing to get better every week.

“Bailey (Ferguson), Connor (Morris), Henry (Jones) and the like, they’re standing up and finding their feet which is great.

“All that has given us plenty of confidence.”

Obviously, Gentles said, confidence counts for little if his side doesn’t turn up on Saturday.

With their ability to score goals undeniable, Gentles said the main factor in Wanderers producing the goods is at the defensive end.

“They’ve got plenty of experience in their side, they’ll be tough,” he explained.

“They’ve also got very quick forwards, so we’ll need to stay tight defensively.

“That’s one big factor this weekend, staying tight and strong defensively. Our talk is another thing (we can improve), talking to each other and communicating a bit better on the field.”

Wanderers take on Panthers from 3.50pm, in Lithgow.