Great Lakes remain unbeaten after five rounds and sit on 27 points, clear of second placed United on 18.

There are four matches remaining before the start of the semi-finals, however, Great Lakes have the bye this weekend.

Skipper Ryan Clark stopped short of saying his side has claimed the minor premiership.

"We play Wingham at Cedar Party in our next game,'' Clark said.

'I think we're going to need a strong showing there.''

However, Clark agreed the side is 'doing well.'

"We've handled the lift in standard to tier 1 well, especially with a couple of former (Mid North Coast) premier league teams coming back into the competition,'' he said.

The demise of the premier league - a competition contested by first grade teams from the Manning, Macleay and Hastings associations saw Manning cricket switch to a tier 1 premiership this summer.

Great Lakes won last season's Manning second grade premiership and this has basically morphed into tier 1.

COVID-19 has caused problems for all sides in the competitions, with infections or isolation making players unavailable, sometimes at late notice.

Lakes have beaten United and Gloucester in the past fortnight at Tuncurry, although Clark said both teams were depleted due to COVID.

He added that Great Lakes have also had their problems due to the pandemic or with players being out for other reasons.

Clark missed the clash against Gloucester due to a back complaint, but hopes to return for the February 5 match against Wingham.

He said that former United and Taree West opening batsman Zac Sheather has been a 'huge gain' for Great Lakes. Sheather has only played two games - against United and Gloucester - where he made 70 and 72 and he is now the leading run scorer in the competition.

Clark also hopes Ben Clark will be available before the season is through. He's recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.

"He did it a while ago, so we're hoping he will be right to play some cricket this season,'' Clark said.

Clark explained that winning the minor premiership will earn Great Lakes the right to host the major semi-final.

A win here would ensure the grand final on Saturday, March 12 is also played here.

"That would be huge and that's what we're aiming for,'' he said.

Meanwhile Great Lakes sits in second place in the tier 2 competition on 27 points behind the leaders, Old Bar Tavern, on 30. Pacific Palms is third on averages on 21 points. Two other sides also have 21.

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