With both teams sitting so close on the competition ladder, victory would mean a superior spot on the pointscore table and bragging rights as Maitland’s best in the Big Bowls business.

The Cannons will have the advantage heading into tonight’s round five encounter with a home green and a narrow one-and-a-half point gap on the Griffins on the ladder.

The Cannons (37) are in fourth position while the Griffins are breathing down their neck in fifth (35.5).

In other round five action tonight competition leaders the Nelson Bay Marlins host the Swansea Skiffs.

On Friday the Charlestown Tigers meet the Alder Park Stallions and the Ettalong Eagles will battle it out with the Redhead Sharks while the last placed Kahibah Blues have the bye.

The East Cessnock Comets played the Wallsend Bears last night.