University face a must-win situation the next two rounds if they want to keep their Tom Locker Cup final aspirations alive.
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The Sea Dragons host Charlestown at University Oval on Saturday and visit Cardiff-Boolaroo the following weekend, needing back-to-back victories to have any chance of catching pool A leaders and defending one-day champions Hamilton-Wickham.
Uni lost to Hamwicks, a replay of last season's decider, in their most recent outing. This put them six points behind the Pumas (15) on the Newcastle District Cricket Association ladder and alongside both upcoming opponents (nine).
"We can't afford to lose from here," Sea Dragons captain Matt Gawthrop said.
"Hamwicks are too good a side to bank on them slipping up somewhere. We've just got to win two games now and hope something goes our way."
Gawthrop scored a century in his first competition hit of the summer, making 140 in what was eventually an unsuccessful total of 7-241. He also finished 97 not out against the same opponents in the final round of last campaign.
"Personally it was good to get off to a good start ... but I would have much rathered the win," he said.
Charlestown are missing skipper Jed Dickson and opening batsman Daniel Arms, who are both playing at the NSW Country Championships on the Central Coast.
Elsewhere in fourth round encounters on Saturday and Sam Jenkinson takes over the captaincy for Stockton and Northern Districts against undefeated Hamwicks at Passmore Oval with Nick Foster and Jeff Goninan away on representative duties.
Sean Love returns from injury for the CBs, who host Waratah-Mayfield at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
In pool B, Chris Young gets called up for Newcastle all-rounder Josh Geary with Merewether meeting City at Townson Oval.
Wests are without key trio Aaron Wivell, Brad Aldous and Aaron Bills when they visit Toronto at Ron Hill Oval.
Belmont are at home to Wallsend, who have a perfect record so far in 2019-20.
All of the 40-over fixtures start at 12pm.
