THE Bathurst Goldminers have a tough double-header challenge ahead of them on the road this weekend which will effectively make or break their men's State League season.
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Coach Matt Chapman has implored his side to keep their fate in their own hands but last weekend's loss to Lithgow basically puts them in a situation where they not only need to keep winning, but have to rely on other results to go their way.
They are currently in fifth but are two wins behind Shoalhaven in the last play-off spot for their pool.
On paper the match with Queanbeyan on Saturday looms as a game the Goldminers have every right to win even with a squad of just seven players, but their lone meeting this season proved that favouritism doesn't just come from the team sheets.
Queanbeyan dominated that clash to come away with a 86-74 win.
"This is a game I would expect to win even given the guys we've got unavailable," Chapman said.
"We're missing Will Cranston-Lown to a training commitment, Keiren Rodwell and Adam Stace are injured and Adam Shackleton is in Perth for a wedding but even without those guys I still think we should beat Queanbeyan."
On Sunday the challenge goes up another step as Bathurst face the Canberra Gunners – who boast a 10-0 record - in Canberra.
