Before round 12 of the first-grade season started on Saturday, five teams - Wallsend (51 points), Wests and Hamilton-Wickham (both 49), University (47) and Merewether (42) - appeared realistic play-off contenders. Barring any major upsets, that seems likely to remain the case heading into the final round.

Wallsend seemingly have a vice-like grip on the minor premiership after claiming first-innings points against Waratah-Mayfield at Waratah Oval.

After winning the toss and inserting the home team, Wallsend dismantled them for 155 in 54.1 overs, and needed only 33 overs to declare at 6-165.

Run machines Jacob Montgomery (49) and Nathan Price (19) were the unbeaten batsmen.

Wallsend then reduced Waratah to 1-9 at stumps in their second innings, after Gary Geise claimed his fourth wicket of the match.

The Tigers will no doubt be more than confident about securing maximum points next week.

University, likewise, already have first-innings points in their swag and will be chasing an outright when play resumes against Newcastle City at Learmonth Park.

Seamer Daniel Rea took 6-17 from 12.3 overs to help dismiss City for 75, to which the Students replied with 4(dec)-180.

City then negotiated 11 overs without loss in their second innings, but the Sabres will resume next week needing another 87 runs to make Uni bat again.

At Passmore Oval, Joseph Price played one of the innings of the season to give Wests the upper hand against Hamwicks.

Price scored 148, his second century of the campaign, to help the Rosellas post a challenging 277 against one of the competition's best bowling attacks.

He hit 12 fours and two sixes and shared a 111-run opening stand with Shannon Bills. Abraham Gibson (6-47) was the pick of the Hamwicks bowlers, and spinner Kain Anderson (2-99 from 36 overs) provided economical support.

Hamwicks will resume next week at 0-6, after surviving four overs before stumps.

Whoever loses out of Wests and Hamwicks is likely to have Merewether breathing down their neck.

The Lions registered 9(dec)-216 against Cardiff-Boolaroo at Pasterfield, and left the home team one wicket down without a run to their name.

Given that Merewether play Waratah in their last game, neither Wests nor Hamwicks can afford a late slip-up.

At Ron Hill Oval, defending champions Toronto were 4-35 chasing Belmont's 234, of which skipper Marcus Hainsworth contributed 76.

At Lynn Oval, seventh-placed Charlestown (199) were in the hunt for an outright win against Stockton (5-51) that might keep alive their slim finals hopes.