THAT finals feeling has arrived somewhat early for both Wallsend and Stockton.
The Tigers host the Seagulls on Saturday in what shapes as a crucial clash, potentially going a long way towards determining who finishes on top of their pool and advances to the Tom Locker Cup decider.
Both teams are unbeaten so far in what has been a rain-affected start to the Newcastle District Cricket Association season, recording back-to-back wins during the last fortnight after having round one washed out.
With two 40-over matches remaining, they sit on 14 points apiece. Charlestown (9) are also in striking distance.
Wallsend captain Jake Montgomery says Pat Magann replaces Nathan Price while Stockton skipper Nick Foster expects to have an unchanged XI.
On the other side of draw Wests (14) have put themselves in the box seat to feature in a fifth one-day showdown in six seasons and push for a third straight title.
The Rosellas are at home to winless Cardiff-Boolaroo in round four with University, Belmont (10) and City (8) their closest rivals.
* FIVE clubs - Belmont, University, Hamwicks, Merewether, Toronto - have only played once in 2022-23 due to wet weather while City are the sole side to feature in all three rounds.
* SG MOORE Cup finals are scheduled for No.1 Sportsground on Sunday with City, Charlestown, Waratah and Cardiff-Boolaroo all in contention for the under-16 boys trophy.
* A RECORD 17 teams will contest this season's NDCA Masters competition, which gets underway on Wednesday.
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