Not since February 2011 had Wingham tasted victory on their home turf against a team from Chatham Park, but what Ben Scowen described as ‘a complete all-round display’ meant more than just breaking that poor track record, it allows Wingham to bid to be crowned the best club cricket side on the mid north coast.

Surprisingly United skipper Ricky Campbell asked Wingham to bat first when he won the toss, and bat they did, racking up 8/263 from their 40 overs. United made just 90 in reply.

Ben Cole again starred for Wingham, top scoring with 89. The stylish left hander came to the crease in the 10th over at 2/48 following the dismissals Brad Staff (6) and Michael Rees (35), and left at 4/201 in the 32nd.

Cole and Ben Scowen added 79 at a run a ball for 14 overs until Scowen was bowled for 24. Cole and Ryan Morris upped the ante with excellent running between the wickets, then Cole blasted a club record 28 runs from Zac Sheathers fifth and last over, clubbing two sixes and four fours. He was out shortly afterwards however, bowled by Campbell, having shared an 82 run stand with Morris, who went on to make 45 himself. In all, Cole hit three sixes and 15 fours.

Morris, who has played second grade all season, joined with power-hitters Dave Rees (10) and Brock Hynes (26) to boost the total in the final overs to an imposing 263.

Campbell picked up three late wickets at a cost of 43 runs, whilst Witts claimed 2/54 off his eight.

United was never in the hunt after losing Campbell and Josh Ferris in the first two overs, both for ducks. Tom Burley was run out by a direct hit from Josh McTaggart for nine, then Dave Rees dismissed Matt Collier (2) and Justin Boyd (0) in the same over to reduce United to 5/32.

Staff had Murray McCartney caught by Michael Rees for 14 then McTaggart joined the fray and removed Pinn for two then Sheather (3) and Gilfillan in successive balls, the Clubmen now 9/43. Only a 47 run last wicket stand by Sam Whitbread (28) and Jackson Witts (18x) added respectability to the effort. Surprisingly, United elected not to bat last start match-winner Danial Stone.

Again Rees and Staff were superb with the new ball, claiming 5/45 between them. Rees returned 3/25 and Staff 2/20. McTaggart, after overcoming a back injury, proved his wicket-taking ability with 3/25 off six and the veteran Steve Allwood jagged the last wicket for 13, including one wide.

Fittingly, second placed Wingham now takes on minor premiers Macquarie Hotel in the final on their home track, Wayne Richards Park after they accounted for Wauchope RSL by 30 runs.

On both occasions this season their matches have been washed out halfway through without reaching a result. Here’s hoping for Wingham’s sake, and Manning cricket in general, that performance dictates the victors, and not the weather, as no reserve date is set.