That's not to say City Colts aren't struggling regardless, though.

Coming into the summer, all the hype was about this team and how its ceiling was sky high.

Fast forward 10 rounds and the boys in blue (and sometimes yellow ... honestly Dave Sellers, what's with that lid?) are reeling after an upset loss to Centennials Bulls, the result putting them nine points back from finals contention.

So, where's it gone wrong?

It's hard to put the blame on any one player, or even one facet of play - it's just been a bit sloppy all overs.

With the Sellers brothers and Josh Toole at the top of the order, things should be clicking more than they are.

The trio produced a total of 13 runs against Centennials on Saturday as Josh Toole got out for his third duck in-a-row.

The road home for City Colts reads Bathurst City, Orange City and Kinross and you'd think they'd need two wins - as well as an outright win (potentially against the students) - to scrape into the top four.

They're still a chance, but it's not looking great.

This team is absolutely airbourne.

After bouncing Cavaliers from the Royal Hotel Cup frame, Connor Slattery and company made easy work of CYMS on Saturday, stretching their tally to 54 competition points (7 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses).

The thing that's nice about this team is that it's consistent across the board.

There's a stack of contributors on both sides of the ball and if one of their key men has an off day, someone will always swoop in to pick up the pieces.

Bailey Brien, Connor Slattery and Andrew Brown have all been sound with the bat in-hand, while Jack Goodsell and Mitch Taylor lead the way among bowlers.

They tasted premiership success before the two competitions combined and with the way they're travelling now, there's no reason they can't rule the region with a BOIDC chip.

A betting man wouldn't tip this side to relinquish top spot as they face Centennials Bulls, Rugby Union and Centrals between now and the finals.

It's beginning to sound like a broken record, and might not sit too nicely with the side itself, but it's finally time to declare Rugby Union a serious shot at BOIDC glory.

They just keep winning...

The side's latest win came in almost-easy fashion against the defending premiers as their bowling staff held one of the most potent batting orders in the region to just 160, before Ryan Peacock and company chased down the total with overs to spare.

So, what's going to slow this team down? Have they peaked early? Do they need a loss before the finals? Only time will tell.

People love to talk about run-scorers but Hugh McIntyre has had a knack for taking wickets this summer as he leads the competition with 19 in eight matches played.

What made the last win even more impressive is that it occurred without the help of either Qureshi brother - a duo that will need to be at its devastating best come finals time.

Regardless of what this squad does in the postseason, the fact that it's registered six wins already is a testament to the coaches and players.

Confidence can do a lot for a side.

On Friday night, when Cavaliers fell to St Pat's Old Boys in the Royal Hotel Cup, they might have felt like they'd never win a game of cricket again.

However, thanks to some crucial death bowling from Kyle Buckley, and some big hitting from Bailey Ferguson, the once-premiership front runners look to be somewhat alive.

Something that Matt Corben said in the lead-up to round eight is that he's happy the side has won a handful of games this season without playing their best cricket.

And, against Bathurst City - with a first innings score of 196 - it's safe to say they still haven't hit peak form ... at least with the bat in-hand.

If Corben and Ferguson can both get going around the same time of the season, this side will be as tough to stop as any.

They currently sit in fourth position.

It's dangerous to rule teams out with three rounds left but it's also exciting. So, let's do it.

CYMS, Centrals, Centennials Bulls and Kinross were dead in the water a fortnight ago. And, while temptations are prominent to do the same to City Colts, we'll stick with the one Bathurst side.

Redbacks' players can safely book in a weekend or two away in February/March, because they're done.

Prior to their three-run loss against Cavaliers, you could make a case for Joey Coughlan's men as a final candidate but now, with 14 points between them and the top four, it's hard to imagine them scraping in.

The round 11 contest against City Colts shapes as a 'loser leaves town' game and after that, the Redbacks with Centrals and Rugby Union.

You can't say with certainty they won't win all three games but given their form guide, it's unlikely.