SEVERAL Bathurst Netball Association teams are testing themselves with a jump into the A grade competition and among those are the Panthers Toshacks outfit.
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Toshacks - one of four Panthers teams in the top grade - are still chasing their first win but the young squad have shown potential against older and more experienced opponents.
They've gone down to a pair of 2018 A grade teams, Mana and Bulldogs Verdelho, in their two games thus far and go up against club mates Agriwest this Saturday.
Coach Kristine Hobby said her side should be proud of the way they've played to start the season, and are just lacking that mental edge needed to match the top sides.
"It's been a bit of an eye opener for them," she said.
"They've got it in their heads that they're a good A reserve side ... but they haven't got themselves in the mindset of an A grade side yet.
"They love their netball and they're a really young side. Most of them are 16 or 17 and there's a 15-year-old there too."
Toshacks face Panthers Agriwest this Saturday, and the latter deserve favouritism given their narrow three-point loss to Verdelho in round two.
Skill-wise Hobby said her team aren't far off the pace.
"They'll learn when they need to step up and I've got no doubt that they've got the ability to play in this grade," she said.
"The headset is the main thing to focus on, along with their confidence."
Toshacks and Agriwest play the all-Panthers derby at 2.30pm.
The other match at that time will be Bulldogs Hurricanes against Panthers Mustangs.
Hurricanes are still on the search for their first win of the season since joining the A grade competition while the Mustangs will look to add to their round one victory over CSU.
Mana have a tough task ahead of them as they try to stop the runaway Collegians Mystified train at 1.15pm.
Also at that time will be the interesting matchup of Bulldogs Verdelho against CSU Hawkes.
Both clubs will fancy themselves a chance of coming away with a win in what could prove to be a pivotal early season clash.
Rounding out the day is the Scots All Saints College versus Panthers A Grade game at 3.45pm.
Panthers will look to keep their unbeaten record while the students look to build on last round's win.
Mystified, Panthers A and Verdelho are yet to lose this season.
