A storm washed out play at the drinks break with the game evenly poised. United was 5/87 chasing Port's total of 180. As 20 overs had been bowled in the innings, the game was decided on the run rate.

“If we’d made 90 we would have won,’’ United captain Ricky Campbell said.

Campbell was batting confidently and was on 27. Justin Boyd (4) was the other not out batsman.

“If I’d known what the score was I would have gone for a slog in the final over before drinks to try and get us to 90,’’ Campbell said.

He said conditions were reasonable when the break was taken.

“It was spitting a bit, but I thought we’d be right to continue playing. Then it started to pour.’’

Port’s win and the draw between Wauchope RSL and Wingham moves the Pirates to the top of the ladder. United, Wauchope, Port and Wingham went into the round undefeated.

Campbell won the toss and decided to send the visitors into bat. Jackson Witts and Sam Whitbread struck early to have Port struggling at 2/19. However, Tom Connolly (31) and Jarod Humphries took the score to 93 before Connolly was dismissed by Campbell. Humphries top scored with 43 when he was caught by Ryan Yates off Zac Sheather’s bowling. Skipper Ben Woodward made 26 in Port’s 180.

Whitbread continued his strong early season form to take 4/38 from seven overs while Witts finished with 2/25. United’s run chase started badly when Matt Collier failed for the first time this season when falling for a duck with the score on one. Dean Mills (11), Murray McCartney (16) and Tom Burley (nine) all made starts.

Campbell was confident United would have scored the required runs in the last 20 overs.

“Credit where credit’s due. Port’s a young side and they’re enthusiastic in the field. They saved a few runs and in the end that won them the game,’’ he said.

The Wingham/Wauchope RSL game was drawn after rain washed out play. Nulla defeated Rovers in the clash of the Kempsey clubs while Port City defeated Macquarie in another rain interrupted match. Taree West had the bye.