“It’s the closest season in years and we are just taking the approach that two wins from our final two games will get us a spot,” Savage said ahead of Saturday’s one-dayer against Thornton.

The scramble for spots was further complicated by last weekend’s drawn fixtures when play was abandoned in the games between Terrace and Western Suburbs and East Maitland and Thornton.

City United’s victory against Northern Suburbs has virtually assured them a spot in the finals, but positions in the top four are still far from certain.

Northern Suburbs tops the table with 46 points, followed by Kurri Weston on 41. City United is third with 37, five points clear of Raymond Terrace in fourth place. Eastern Suburbs (28), Western Suburbs (27) and Thornton (23) fill the remaining three spots.

City United have the bye this week and face Raymond Terrace in a blockbuster final-round game.

Savage said he felt sorry for Thornton as they were poised to win on Saturday needing just 15 runs with three wickets in hand when lightning forced the game to be abandoned.

“A win would have put them right in the mix for a top-four spot, but they are probably out of it now,” he said.

“They have been one of the real form sides since the Christmas break and we are in for a real test on Saturday. We’re confident as since we beat City in round five we’ve only had the one loss and that came down to the last over against Norths.

“We were probably on top last week against Wests when the game was called off because of lightning. We held them to 136 in their 50 overs which is a mighty effort considering their batting line up.

“Will Maher was great grabbing 4-30 for us. Although he only got one wicket Mitchell Pinch was probably the pick. For a spinner to finish up with 1-7 from his 10 overs is a fantastic effort.

“There are just so many different scenarios as to who will make the finals. We are controlling our destiny and if we win our last two games we are in. We can probably make the finals if we win one of those two but you really want to be taking winning form into the finals.”

Savage said Terrace would be further strengthened with star batsman Brandon Smith available to play if they make the finals.

“It’s been such a close year, whoever makes the finals has a real chance of winning the title,” he said.

Round 13