And normally when Pat's and Rugby come together the odds would say that they'd be doing so on the back of a victory, but this weekend is a rare case where both clubs are trying to bounce back from big defeats.

Saturday's meeting between the two most recent Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade champions will be vital for each club's push towards finals.

It will also be a battle to see who gets used the conditions quicker, as this is the only game on the entire BOIDC calendar that will be played at Brooke Moore.

Pat's paceman Matt Fearnley said the Pat's-Rugby matchup is one that both clubs eagerly await each season, especially with the larger number of Bathurst representatives on the squad who enjoy the chance to face one another.

"Us and Rugby have always had good matches against each other. There's a great rivalry there since Jameel [Qureshi] and Peakers [Ryan Peacock] love to play against some of their mates and the younger kids that we've got," he said.

"For us we're coming off a couple of loses so it's about getting back to that consistency that we had before.

"When the Central West Wranglers were playing we had five players out with that team, and for a two day game you're playing with two different teams.

"It always hurts when you're batting with your batters out and bowling when your bowlers are out. We get those guys back towards the end of the season, and you're always happy to have them playing rep because you get the benefit of the rep players come finals."

Pat's will have both Adam Ryan and Nic Broes out for Saturday's game.

Rugby have the advantage of already playing a game in the new year - a Bonnor Cup T20 win over Bathurst City.

That will be a confidence builder for the Rugby side, especially since the new BOIDC season returns in a one-day format.

In other games Cavaliers face Centennials Bulls, Bathurst City goes up against Centrals, CYMS will play host to ORC and City Colts welcome Orange City to Loco Oval.

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