However, absentees in either side mean even though there’s plenty of space on the table between the competition-leading Bulldogs and the bottom-placed Saints nothing is certain.

Due to Bathurst’s Mitchell Cricket Council colts match against Mudgee, Rugby Union will be without the services of Ryan Peacock, Luke Powell and Sam Macpherson.

Saints haven’t escaped unscathed either as Ben Parsons and Connor Slattery are also out on representative duty.

Rugby’s Jameel Qureshi said the respective position of the teams on the table doesn’t mean his team go into Saturday’s match complacent.

“As I’ve said before about this competition, anyone can beat anyone. Pat’s are a very talented team. For them I think it’s just more a mental thing,” he said.

“Matt Fearnley is always dangerous. He’s been taking wickets at rep and local level for a long time. Then there’s Adam Ryan and Derryn Clayton, who is probably the biggest hitter of a cricket ball I’ve seen in my life.

“You have to look out for Brendon Cutmore and Nick Millar’s been doing well with the ball. You can’t discount them at all.”

The weather prevented a meeting between the Bulldogs and Saints during the one-day season, back in round two.

Their latest clash was in the previous season, where the Bulldogs comfortably won the two-day fixture.

Rugby come into this meeting off a win against Centennials Bulls. It was an encouraging match for the front runners who had three players hit half centuries.

There were some promising performances from St Pat’s in their loss to defending champions Bathurst City in the previous round, particularly with the ball.

However, more partnerships with the bat will be needed if they’re to snare the upset win over the Bulldogs.

Rugby currently sit on 39 points, just under four clear of City Colts and Bathurst City in the race for first.

St Pat’s have 13.5 points to their name, which has them seven off the vital top four spot.

Bulldogs may be top of the table but Qureshi said things need to improve if they want to stay there.

“We’ve got a good group of players and we just need to concentrating on what we’re doing out there,” he said.

“Our focus this week needs to be on taking our catches, because that’s something that hasn’t been at its best for us this year.”

Pat’s are yet to record a win from their four matches at The Scots School this season.

They get one more chance as the game is the last held on the pitch for 2016-17.