The pair came together with Wingham struggling at 8 for 84 and staring defeat in the face, chasing Rovers moderate total of 106.

Sporting three ducks and just five runs between them in their last four first grade innings, the pair set about avoiding defeat with a mixture of swishes and swipes before confidence and class took over.

Sky, called into the side at the last minute, proved a more than effective foil for Stinson, even outscoring the seasoned finisher, playing without the burden of expectation of a permanent team member.

With a preference for the leg side shots, he rotated the strike with aplomb, leaving Stinson to be selective in his stroke play, blasting the winning boundary over cover.

Sky managed 14 not out and Stinson 13 not to record an important victory and keep Wingham in second spot.

Earlier, Ben Cole looked likely to steer the side to the chocolates with a classic innings of 34 on a slow wicket and even slower outfield.

Going to the crease at 2 for 15 Cole looked untroubled as he blasted two sixes and two fours in a classy knock. But he was the seventh batsman dismissed with the score at 78, leaving much for the tail to do.

Josh Davis (18) was the only other Wingham batsman to reach double figures in what should have been a routine run chase.

Credit to seventh placed Rovers, they hung in there and could easily have won.

They fought back from 7 for 43 at the half way mark of their innings to give their bowlers something to bowl at.

Youngsters Jared Baldwin (36x) and Jared Prosper (25) put on 51 for the eighth wicket with controlled aggression to save their cause.

Once again Dave Rees and Brad Staff caused the opposition trouble with the new ball, reducing Rovers to 5/33 before a bowling change.

Rees claimed 3 for 25 and Staff 2 for 16, the later recording four maidens in his eight overs.

Whilst Staff claimed both of the openers cheaply Rees collected the important wicket of Rovers captain Danny Powick (2) thanks to a sharp slips catch by his counterpart, Ben Scowen, one of two he held on the day.

Without detracting from the young Rovers batters effort, Wingham’s intensity waned slightly after the drinks break allowing in part the Rovers fightback.

Josh McTaggart bowled with good pace to return 1/13, Steve Allwood 1/26, Davis 1/17 and Stinson 2/8 to round out the Wingham bowling figures.

The Rovers trundlers also shared the wickets around but were unable to gain the vital breakthrough required to seal victory and keep their semi final hopes alive.

Wingham tackle the winless Port Pirates side at Laurieton Oval this weekend.

Wingham second grade scored a strong victory over Old Bar at Cedar Party in the last competition match.

The home team made 7/229 thanks to 64 from Liam O’Neill, 57 from Hudson Bird, 31 to Ryan Morris and 26 not out by Jy Kliendienst.

Old Bar responded with 165 as Jake Mullen (3/20) and Lee Niven (3/48) claimed the bulk of the wickets.

Wingham finished in second spot and meet United in the major semi this weekend.

Thirds recorded a solid victory over Great Lakes in their elimination semi at Forster. Batting first Wingham posted 9/156 with Blake Thompson (35) and Nathan Butler (35) assisted by 24 from Toby Polley, who was instrumental in restricting Great Lakes to 139, claiming 4/36. They tackle minor premiers Bulahdelah next.