A Tom Irwin century and a 10-wicket haul for the match by Luke Kealy have propelled Western Suburbs to an outright win against Eastern Suburbs and to the top of the Maitland first grade cricket ladder with one round to play.
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However, top spot and the minor premiership and the fourth and final spot in the semi-finals are still up for grabs going into next Saturday.
The Plovers, courtesy of 10 points for an outright win, are now on 64 points three clear of City United who secured a 46-run win against Raymond Terrace at Robins Oval.
Irwin made 107 and Joel Connell made 51 before being run out as Wests posted 267 for a 208-run lead.
Easts were all out for 117 as Kealy led the way with 5-58 to go with his 5-26 from Easts' first innings.
Northern Suburbs opted to settle for first innings points and not push for an outright win against Kurri Weston at Lorn Park. The win secures third place and a showdown against City in the first week of the semi-finals if both City and Wests win next week.
Easts collected no points for being beaten outright and have dropped to fifth place one point behind Kurri Weston who collected a point for a first innings loss.
In the final game Thornton defeated Tenambit Morpeth by 50 runs to claim their third win of the season and leave the Bulls still without a victory.
The certainties after the penultimate round are that Western Suburbs and City United will finish top two, Northern Suburbs have secured third spot and Kurri Weston and City United are in a battle for fourth spot.
Who finishes first and second and fourth will be decided in yet another exciting final round of Maitland first grade cricket.
Round 14's games are one-dayers. Kurri Weston play last year's grand final conqueror City United at Robins Oval, Western Suburbs travel to take on Raymond Terrace, Easts play Thornton and Tenambit Morpeth hosts Norths.
"It's come down to the final round to decide the final four and minor premiers again," Norths skipper Lincoln Mills said after his side's win against the Warriors.
Norths chased down Kurri Weston's total of 111 and finished on 9/147 at the first drinks break with Mills and Kurri Weston skipper Tyler Power agreeing to end play.
Steve Abel took 4-38 and Nicholas Neild 3-36.
"We had decided during the week that given there was no chance of us finishing any higher up the ladder that we wouldn't push for an outright," Mills said.
"It was a relief to give our bowlers a break as it was pretty hot and humid and a break before the finals won't hurt them."
Mills said the side was in good form going into the finals.
"The younger players have had another year under their belt and are better for it and Cal Gabriel has been such a huge addition to our team.
"Put him in our side last year and I think we would have been right in the mix for the premiership.
"His batting is mature. He can pace an innings, play a variety of shots and to top it off he is comfortable opening the bowling.
"He is so fit the only reason you give him a break is to give someone else a bowl."
City skipper Matt Trappel said he was wrapped with his side's win on what was a very different wicket to last week.
"Defending 226 yesterday at Robins oval and with the wicket once again very good and outfield a lot shorter than the week before we had to work hard for the win," he said.
"Spin twins Todd Francis 4/70 off 23 and Nick Bower 3/48 off 20 were our best with the ball.
"Our young guns were excellent and hard to get away with Cameron Wynn finishing with 2/6 off 9 overs which included seven maidens and Jay Boyd on debut was excellent and deserved a wicket but finished with 0/6 off six overs.
"Terrace's tail pushed us a little but ended up all out for 180."
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