After missing out on the past two weeks of play due to rain - with more predicted once again this Saturday - the boys in blue and gold will hope it finally stays away long enough for them to enjoy a meeting against the two-time defending champions on the best deck in the region.

With every week that gets lost to rain each win that teams can find will become more and more valuable in the run towards finals.

On paper the Rugby Union and Orange City contest has the potential to deliver an enthralling battle, with two highly experienced and well-rounded squads among the competition.

Rain also got in the way of the last time Rugby and the Warriors were due to meet on Wade Park - during last season's preliminary final.

Rugby were itching to set up an all-Bathurst encounter with St Pat's Old Boys in the decider but it wasn't to be.

Orange City got the better of Rugby in the opening game of the 2020-21 season, a two-day affair, but in the one day format the Bathurst club hit back with a crucial win.

Rugby's sole outing this season was a well-timed successful run chase against Centrals.

Rugby captain Ryan Peacock believes the upcoming game has the potential to be a big one.

"We got the wood over them last year, and this is probably the matchup of the round. If we can beat them in Orange then that would certainly be a good start to our year," he said.

"I think if you look at the Pat's side on paper, and ourselves, I don't think you could split the difference between the three of us if we all play our best cricket.

"I think [City] are still the benchmark, since they won it last year, but if things had gone a little bit differently in that last game before finals it could have been a different story.

"You can't go off that though - you have to go off the present - so we'll just have to wait and see."

Rugby also went two from two at Wade Park last BOIDC season (against Cavaliers and CYMS), continuing the ground's status as a happy hunting ground for Peacock's side.

"I think whoever plays the smarter cricket, and controls the game in the field will probably be the deciding factor," he said.

"We were undefeated at Wade Park last year, including Bonnor Cup. We played eight games there and never lost, if you don't include the washed out preliminary final.

"Considering Orange teams normally rule there it's good to see. It's my favourite place to play and I'd say it's the same for the majority of our team as well. You always look forward to seeing Wade Park on the draw."

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