The start of the day's play was delayed 45 minutes with water runoff from a downpour in the hour prior to the scheduled start leaking beneath the covers.

When play finally got underway, Cundletown resumed with an overall lead of 55 runs at 0/34. Danial Stone was on 28 and Josh Ferris six.

Taree West needed a bit of luck and could have had the perfect start, only for a hot chance to be put down in the first over from Paul Cox's bowling to give Ferris a second life.

However, Wests didn't have to wait too long for success with Cory Shields trapping Stone in front next over for 29. Nathan Curry joined Ferris and the pair batted positively, lifting the scoring rate and making Cundletown's intentions clear. This partnership was worth 36 until Shields had Curry caught and bowled for 26, and although Ricky Campbell was out caught behind next ball Cundletown were still well placed at 3/76.

Cundletown captain Anthony Turner consolidated his side's position, and along with Ferris played an innings of controlled aggression, with his six straight over Shields' head the highlight. The pair dramatically reduced any chance of a win for Taree West moving the score with ease to 131, when Justin Boyd had Turner out caught at long off by Jordan Lee for 37.

Michael Couch played a whirlwind innings making 17, before Ferris registered his 50 with a six to finish unbeaten on 53, as Turner declared at 4/165, an overall lead of 186.

All of the West bowlers copped some stick with Shields returning 3/55 and Boyd (1/26) being the only two to have success.

Taree West needed to start well in their second innings if they were going to chase this total, however were immediately on the back foot with Cox (2), Jeremy Dack (10) and Lee (2) falling to the in-form Scott Saunders. When Couch bowled Josh Robards for a duck Taree West was in strife at 4/15.