AFTER looking certain to finish minor premiers three weeks ago, Wingham could drop down to third place when the final round of Mid North Coast Premier League cricket is played on Saturday.
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Wingham will host United at Cedar Valley Reserve. United go into the match as the competition leader on 73 points, with Wingham now second on 69. In what will be an engrossing round, third placed Wauchope (67 points) meet fourth placed Port Macquarie Pirates (64).
United gained the competition lead from Wingham following the penultimate round last weekend when they received six gift points after Nulla was forced to forfeit.
Skipper Ricky Campbell explained that Nulla had a number of players unavailable as they were attending a wedding. The club wasn't willing to call players up from second grade, as that side was still a hope of playing in the Macleay association finals. Nulla will finish last in the premier league.
Wingham's worrying late season form slump continued when they were beaten by Rovers in the clash at Cedar Party Reserve. Captain Michael Rees said before the game that inconsistent batting has been the side's problem all season.
This again proved to be Wingham's downfall when they failed to haul in Rovers' moderate tally of 146, with the home side managing just 124 after being 5/32 at one stage.
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Wingham's Brock Hynes batting in the clash against Rovers at Cedar Party Reserve. Rovers won the match.
This was Wingham's second consecutive loss and this has resulted in the side frittering away a nine point lead in the race for the minor premiership. Should United and Wauchope both win on Saturday, Wingham would drop back to third place.
United have been the form side for most of the post-Christmas section of the competition.
A loss to Wauchope RSL when play resumed in early February after the break saw United drop back to fifth place, however, the team has been a model of consistency since.
The minor premiers will secure a home semi-final while they'll also benefit should wet weather mar the finals series, as was the case last season.
Despite improved late season form, the other Manning side in the premier league, Taree West, won't be involved in the final series.
