It's the date which gives Hamilton-Wickham confidence, that whatever total University end up with they can chase it down at Passmore Oval on Saturday and claim the Newcastle District Cricket Association minor premiership for 2018-19. 

Just before the Christmas break, Hamwicks reeled in Wallsend's 8-317 with 10 overs to spare.

This time around Uni resume on 7-240 with 13 overs left to bat, but Pumas wicketkeeper Ben Balcomb backs his team to get the job done in the last-round encounter. 

MORE CRICKET: Cardiff Boolaroo's Aaron Bills at his best into breeze at Pastefield      

"We back ourselves to chase down anything," Balcomb said.   

"It would be ideal to keep them under 300. Even 280 would be a good outcome.

"We've only really had one big score to chase down this season and we made 320, which was a good effort."

Hamwicks fought back late on day one, taking three wickets in the second session after University were 4-169. 

Tom Dwyer (3-39) removed Sea Dragons captain Andrew Harriott (64) before Hamwicks skipper Matt Webber (4-36) struck twice in quick succession. 

Balcomb said Matt's twin brother Sam (0-29) went unrewarded.

"It was very good to bat on and there wasn't much in it for the bowlers," Balcomb said.

"I thought Matt and Tom bowled really well, but Sam's second spell was one of the best I've seen from him in a couple of years.

"There was some serious pace and he was unlucky not to get two or three [wickets]."

University No.4 Matt Gawthrop was unbeaten on 97 when bad light stopped play. Hamwicks will have a minimum 77 overs available.

The result on day two will have quite a bearing on the competition ladder with, currently, Hamwicks (67 points) first and University (55) fourth. 

Victory for leaders Hamwicks would all-but seal top spot while a loss could see them slip as low as third. 

"It's an important game for us," Balcomb said.

"We want to win and try to take some of that momentum into the semis. While the end goal is always the grand final the club has a proud history of minor premierships so we do value it. 

"But if we lose we could drop to third if Charlestown win outright. And with a bit of weather about you don't to put yourself in that position." 

Second-placed Toronto (64) and third-placed Charlestown (60) are still jostling for positions safely inside the top four. 

The Kookaburras (3-20) need 75 runs with seven wickets in hand to beat City (94) at No.1 Sportsground while Charlestown have Stockton and Northern Districts 8-127 at Lynn Oval.  

However, Uni can seal a title shot with victory while a loss leaves the door open at Townson Oval for either fifth-placed Wests (106) or sixth-placed Merewether (2-77) to leapfrog them on the overall standings.

Elsewhere, Cardiff-Boolaroo are 0-5 in pursuit of Waratah-Mayfield's 135 at new home ground Pasterfield Sports Complex.