Dave Neil the CYMS sangiovese. Russell Gardner the cabernet sauvignon of City Colts.

The veteran duo, Neil 38 and Gardner "much older" than he was when he first padded up the BOIDC competition a few moons ago, are two of the few players still striding out to the middle that tasted the joint Bathurst-Orange top grade title race during its original incarnation throughout the mid-90s and early 2000s before the districts went their separate ways for the 2007-08 summer.

And, some 12 years on, the pair is sitting atop of the BOIDC's leading run-scorer's list at Christmas, in 2020, no less.

Neil has 298 runs for CYMS though eight innings to be second on the aggregate list while Gardner sits atop of the standings thanks to 308 runs at an average of 102.67, his knock of 156 not out at Wade Park against Centrals one of the highlights of the season.

Experience counts, that much is clear, and Neil says making the most of little windows that open up while at the crease was key to scoring a mountain of runs.

"The white ball didn't really swing during the opening few rounds," Neil said, knocks of 70 and 77 in the opening two one-day games of the summer indicative of that. "I've probably had a few more hits than a few other guys too."

Neil has batted eight times this summer - the most alongside Tom Belmonte (8 innings) and Rory Daburger (9 innings), both CYMS teammates of Neil's.

Blake Aubin's terrific summer has rocketed the Centennials Bulls bat to third on the list with 294 runs at an average of 58.80.

Behind Aubin sits young Orange City keeper-bat Lachlan Coyte with 292 runs at a tick under 50, while St Pat's Old Boys young gun Bailey Brien has been a pillar of consistency and with two-half tons has 239 runs so far this season.

Rounding out the top 10 are Connor Slattery (226), Belmonte (222), Daburger (220), Ryan Peacock (219) and Mark Day (211).

Neil was pleased to see two of his teammates, Belmonte and Daburger, enjoying strong seasons with the bat, too.