THE Manning first grade cricket competition enters the penultimate round on Saturday with games reduced to one day fixtures following last week's washout.
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At Chatham competition heavyweights United and Old Bar go head to head in search of the minor premiership.
Old Bar had an eight point lead but have been docked 10 points for non-data entry, meaning United now lead the competition by two points.
Form-wise, both teams recorded outright victories last start as Old Bar disposed of Wingham and United trounced Taree West.
Old Bar is at home to Taree West in the final round whilst United takes on Wingham at Cedar Party.
David Rees led his Old Bar side to victory with bat and ball, scoring his maiden century and picking up five wickets in the second innings.
He was the only batsman to prosper on the Old Bar wicket, clubbing eight sixes in his 107. The smaller Chatham Oval may suffer the same fate if Rees bats in the same manner.
Ben Cole, who leads the district batting list with 507 runs, and Daniel Stone, who picked up nine wickets for the match, will provide batting support, as should Paxton Kelly who also likes to wield the willow. Statistics reveal that in excess of 50 per cent of Old Bars runs are scored in boundaries.
The United batsmen are more watchful as evidenced by the fact they have lost 25 per cent fewer wickets (84 v 111) than Old Bar, for roughly the same number of runs.
Not to be outdone, United captain Ricky Campbell returned to form with 141 not out against Taree West.
He and Josh Ferris (490 runs) will provide a sterner test for the Old Bar trundlers than Wingham did.
At Johnny Martin Oval both teams will be looking for redemption after less than flattering performances last time out.
Both teams have been struggling for runs as Wingham made just 112 and 77 whilst Taree West was better with 182 and 139.
Sean Carr has scored the only century from either side this year and that was against Wingham last time they met.
Paul Cox has been in good nick of late and he will be the main stumbling block for Wingham, whilst Matt Essery has been one of Winghams most consistent batters, albeit not yet passing 50.
Wingham will be without Brad Staff but will still rely upon their spinners for wickets, as will Taree West where Cox and Crozier have been picking up scalps. This trend should continue unless the batsmen show more discipline.
The winner of this match should claim the third semis spot with Wingham currently eight points ahead of West.
