TWO teams have the opportunity to finish the season-proper undefeated when the final round of Group Three Rugby League is played this weekend.
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Wingham's reserve grade and Port City's women's league tag have yet to lose a match.
The Tigers play fourth placed Port Macquarie at Port on Saturday while Port City sixth placed Old Bar at Old Bar, also on Saturday.
Wingham's points differential is +337, the Breakers +393. Port City have conceded just 34 points from 13 games.
Macleay Valley look set to finish minor premiers in first grade and under 18.5s. The Mustangs are two points clear of Wingham in first grade and should account for wooden spooners Taree City on Sunday at the Jack Neal Oval to claim the minor title
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Macleay and Old Bar are level on 22 points in under 18.5s, but the Mustangs pick up easy points from the bye and they also have a better points differential than the Pirates. Old Bar lost two points for fielding an unregistered player in the opening match of the season against the Mustangs.
Forster-Tuncurry has the opportunity to move to equal third place with Wauchope in first grade by beating the Blues at Wauchope on Sunday.
However, win, lose or draw Wauchope will claim third place through a superior points differential, meaning the Hawks will host the elimination semi-final on Saturday August 3, while Wauchope will tackle Wingham at Wingham the following day.
Premiers Port Macquarie must beat Wingham and hope Old Bar upset Port City in the final round game to claim a top five berth. If the Breakers win they'll meet Forster-Tuncurry in the elimination semi.
Wingham and Forster-Tuncurry have cleared out from the field in reserve grade. Old Bar's clinging to fifth spot on 11 points, two clear of Macleay.
The Pirates play third placed Port City on Saturday and need to win as Macleay should have little trouble with Taree City. If the Pirates and Mustangs finish on 11 points the Kempsey combination will grab fifth on points differential.
The Mustangs were twice docked competition points for fielding unregistered players during the season.
Macleay and Old Bar lead the way in the 18.5s with 22 points. Port City (18), Wingham (16) and Port Macquarie (14) make up the five and should finish in that order regardless of this weekend's results.
There's an intriguing finish in league tag. Port City and Forster-Tuncurry will claim first and second. However, Wauchope (13), Port Macquarie (12), Taree City (12) and Wingham (11) will fight out the final three places.
Wauchope will qualify but could finish as high as third or slump to fifth. The Blues meet Forster-Tuncurry on Sunday.
If the Sharks down Wingham it'll end the Tigers' hopes. The Bulls should account for last placed Macleay Valley.
Port Macquarie's points differential is -14 compared to Taree City's -24, so if the Bulls put a score on the Mustangs, they could also jump to third depending on other results.
A loss last week to Old Bar proved costly for Wingham.
The elimination semi-final (4th v 5th) will be at the Harry Elliott Oval at Tuncurry on August 3 with the preliminary matches (2nd v 3rd) at Wingham on Sunday August 4.
Major semi-finals will be at Kempsey on Sunday, August 11.
