With potentially heavy rain predicted for Friday the curators at Chatham and Johnny Martin Ovals will be working overtime to protect their wickets from water inundation, the importance of which could be felt on Saturday if either of the home teams lose the toss and gets sent in to bat on a rain effected wicket.

At Chatham competition heavyweights Old Bar and United go head to head in search of the minor premiership.

Old Bar have an eight point lead at present after disposing of Wingham outright last weekend.

Similarly, United trounced Taree West outright to pick up a swag of points.

Old Bar is at home to Taree West in the final round whilst United takes on Wingham at Cedar Party.

David Rees led Old Bar 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 and Danial Stone, who picked up nine wickets for the match, will provide batting support, as should Paxton Kelly who also likes to wield the willow.

In excess of 50 per cent of Old Bar's runs are scored in boundaries.

The United batsmen are more sedate as evidenced by the fact they have lost 25 per cent fewer wickets per innings than Old Bar, for roughly the same number of runs.

Ricky Campbell returned to form with 141 not out against Taree West and with Josh Ferris will provide a sterner test for the Old Bar trundlers than Wingham did.

I expect the spinners to have less of an impact, rather Kelly, Rees and Burley should grab good returns if the wicket plays as normal.

At Johnny Martin Oval both teams will be looking for redemption after less than flattering performances last time out.

Wingham made 112 and 77 whilst Taree West was better with 182 and 139.

Sean Carr has scored the only century from either side 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 Wingham most consistent batters, albeit not yet passing 50.

Wingham will rely upon their spinners to do the bulk of the work whilst Cox and Crozier have been picking up wickets for the West.

This trend should continue unless the batsmen show more discipline.

The winner of this match should claim the third spot.

Wingham currently are eight points ahead.