Paterson will head into next weekend's top of the table clash with SMR full of confidence after overcoming the dangerous Tenambit Morpeth Bulls with a depleted side.
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Work commitments, including fighting bushfires, meant that a handful of players were unavailable.
"Our C Grade actually had to forfeit because quite a few of their players had to step up into the higher grades," Paterson captain Dean Bridges said.
Despite the setback Paterson did well to overhaul the Bulls' total of 178 for the loss of six wickets.
"They probably got a few more runs than we would have liked, but the outfield was lightning fast," Bridges said.
"If you could get a ball through the infield there was no running it down - you were getting full value for your shots. So we were always confident we could get the runs.
"Then we got off to a good start with an opening stand of 40 off seven overs, and that set us up nicely. We got home on the back of that."
Opening batsman Jason Watson steered the side with 73, while Shane Priestley (33) and fellow opener Adam Hicks (25) also made useful contributions.
Rod Faulkner was the best of the bowlers with 3-9 from five overs, while Bridges and spinner Steve Jenkins picked up two each, with Russell Presland grabbing one.
The win means Paterson have three wins, a loss and a draw from their five matches but, even with a number of players returning, they will need to be at their best against SMR who are always a force.
"Our batting is good - I'm really happy with that - but there's probably still room for a bit of improvement with our bowling," Bridges said.
"But the SMR match will give us a good indication of where we're at."
There was no play in the Dungog competition last weekend due to the Show, and play will resume on Saturday.