The blanket washout means first-placed United and second-placed Wingham move through to the main decider at the expense of third-placed Taree West.

Wingham will get a shot at redemption while United will look to seal a minor-major premiership double at Johnny Martin Oval, weather permitting.  United will be looking for some satisfaction, given Wingham wrested the Johnny Martin Cup for one-day cricket when play was washed out on Australia Day.

Wingham won the title in 2010/11 with Scott Telfer at the helm when the final was abandoned without a ball being bowled. On that occasion there was no spare weekend set aside in the event of an East Coast low in March. Common sense has prevailed and that has now been rectified.

If weather again intervenes this weekend, United will hold the upper hand, as minor premiers. If play is abandoned without a ball bowled, the match is re-scheduled for the following weekend. If play does start at any stage, the winner will be known Sunday afternoon, at the latest.

Wingham, who have not featured in a first grade grand final since beaten by United at Chatham Park in 2013/14, are chasing the club’s first two-day crown since 2011-2012. On that occasion they defeated Great Lakes at Johnny Martin Oval when then-skipper Brad Staff starred with 62 not out. He will again play a vital role here and has been in good touch since returning from Melbourne earlier this year.

Wingham skipper Matt Essery intends using 13 players in the decider with opening bowler Steve Allwood and first choice wicket-keeper Dan Barber added to the squad. Both have been absent due to inury.

Essery is seeking more application from his players, in all areas, but particularly catching. A total of 11 chances were put down in the most recent game against Old Bar, which led to a loss. “We have been losing early wickets, and in clumps, leaving too much for the lower order to do,’’ Essery explained.

“We need to rectify that and put on some partnerships. We can’t leave it for the next bloke. I am confident we have the players to do that, we just need to apply ourselves, as a team.”

Essery declined to nominate United’s dangermen, instead paying tribute to the overall ability and depth of the United lineup.

 In second grade Wingham will meet Old Bar for the right to play minor premiers Great Lakes in the premiership decider. Dennis Smith’s men have shown good form of late and defeated Old Bar on the first innings last meeting, but ended up losing outright. They also beat Old Bar prior to Christmas.

Jake Mullen is making valueable runs, aided by Jye Kleindeinst and Lee Niven. Wingham has a young and varied bowling attack, led by Shane Manny, Beau Reed, Dean Whitlam and Ryan Smoothy. They will have to get the better of ex-Wingham players Damon Minett and Dylan Strathdee, who are Old Bar’s big-guns to progress to play Great Lakes in the final.

Wingham’s third grade, having missed the semis, has the week off as they have gone straight through  the repercharge to the fourth grade final where they will are the reigning premiers. More about that next week.