Cardinals put one hand on the pre-Christmas trophy with back-to-back wins in the premier men's competition on Saturday.
It is still one of the most even seasons in recent memory, with just seven points among the top three teams and 16 between first and last.
But Cardinals (8-5, 39 points) will be confident they can withstand the challenge of Ellis Park Maroon (6-6, 32 points) and Saints (7-6, 32 points), even though the Maroon side has a game in hand.
Cardinals featured in the clash of the day when they won a 12-11 shootout against Dodgers.
It was hardly a sure thing for Cardinals, who were out-hit 10-6, made twice as many errors (6-3) and fell into an 8-1 hole after two innings.
Dodgers grabbed the initiative with a two-run Jamie Robinson homer in the first inning, and a Ross Familton double in the second that scored three runs.
When Dodgers added three runs at the top of the fourth, including a Ben Watts home run, to lead 11-4, it seemed the result was sealed.
But Cardinals grabbed three runs in the bottom of the fourth and four more in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 11-11.
Watts and Cardinals pitcher Grant Phillips then went out for out on the mound, before Doug Hill got on base after being hit by a pitch, and was singled home by Crete Whaanga for the win.
Cardinals backed that up with a 4-0 win over Ellis Park Gold.
Two runs in the third inning and two more in the sixth were enough for Cardinals, with young pitcher Joshua Ludlow putting in one of the better performances in his fledgling career, allowing just three hits in the shutout.
Pitching was also key in a late-game upset, with Dodgers climbing off the foot of the table by shocking Saints 8-1.
Watts was in full command on the mound for Dodgers, conceding three hits and striking out 10 batters in just five innings.
Showing his versatility, Watts also hit a solo home run, his second of the day, while younger brother Cam made it another memorable game for the family by smashing a three-run homer in the fourth inning.
Maroon beat Gold 8-3 in a battle of the Ellis Park clubs.
Gold scored all of its runs in the top of the first inning, with Sean Martin belting a two-run homer, and Peter Mathieson batting in son Adam.
Maroon got a solo homer from Tyron Wall in the second, then took control of the game with a six-run fifth inning.
Club softball finishes for the Christmas break this Saturday.
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