Old Patesians go into tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash against Banbury knowing that a win would cement their place in pole position in South West One East.

A victory would also make it a magnificent seven after a quickfire start to the campaign that has seen them win their opening six games.

Not that club captain Connor Thompson is getting too carried away at this stage of the season.

The experienced prop has his feet firmly on the ground – something that may not be so straightforward come scrum time tomorrow, if the rain keeps falling on an Everest Road pitch that is prone to turning to mud as soon as the bad weather sweeps in over the nearby Leckhampton Hill.

“It’s far too early to talk about front-runners in the division,” insisted Thompson. “Even Christmas is too early. Look at us last season, we were top at the end of the year and there was a bit of a gap between ourselves and Newbury, but everything changed in the last four or five games of the season.

“This is a competitive league and there will still be plenty of shock results this season. I know it’s a cliché but we will take it week by week.”

Thompson is just being realistic, of course, but he was nonetheless delighted with the club’s 24-18 win at high-riding Wimborne last time out.

“I don’t think too many teams will go there and win,” he said.

Free-scoring Banbury arrive at Everest Road with five wins and a draw to their name this season, and are level with Pats on 28 points courtesy of their six try-bonus points.

If the weather does turn nasty they will surely find it tougher to run in tries tomorrow, especially when they’re playing up the not inconsiderable slope at Everest Road.

But whatever the weather brings, Thompson is happy that the Pats have the tools in their armoury to prevail.

“In the last couple of years we’ve really pushed on as a team,” he said. “We’re not a one-trick pony these days. We’ve got an exciting back line as well as strong forwards and play different facets of rugby.

“We’ve been pushing our skills level in training and I’m confident we can deliver in any weather.

“If the forwards win the ball we know the backs can do something with it. We don’t expect to see it go back 50 yards. We have players with that bit of magic who can make something out of very little.”

In years gone by, it was very rare to hear a forward talking up the backs, but ask Thompson which players have shone behind the scrum this season and he doesn’t hesitate before answering.

“Matt Dean,” he said. “He’s been with the club for a while and is playing well. James Gahan has carried on where he left off last season and Lee Hathaway has shown what’s he’s about in the two or three games he’s played this season.”

The performances of those three plus many others have ensured that there is a real feelgood factor around the Pats at the moment, and it’s not just the 1st XV who are flying the flag for the club.

“We’ve been putting three teams out every week and we’ve only lost one game so far,” added Thompson. “There’s a real buzz about the club. We’ve been fielding a 3rd XV every week whereas in the past we’ve been struggling for numbers.

“The feelgood factor is filtering down throughout the club. It makes such a difference when the club are winning. We’re doing things right on and off the pitch and we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

That direction is upwards and Pats supporters will be hoping that come season’s end, the 1st XV have the divisional title wrapped up and with it a place in South West Premier next season.

Thompson has played at that level with the Pats before in the days when it was called National League Three South and knows it is a big step up from the level they are currently playing at.

“We struggled when we last played in the higher division,” admitted Thompson, “but we’re pushing ourselves as a squad and as individuals. If we do get into South West Premier then we’ll be ready.”