Sharma took 4-20 and Coleman 3-35 as Hamwicks recovered from 4-20 to reach 166, courtesy of all-rounder Darren Herbert's 91 at Wallsend Oval.

Needing a first-innings win to have any chance of finishing in the top four, Wallsend were 4-83 at stumps. Coleman is unbeaten on 24 and Warren Holding is at the other end on 21.

"Warren and I are both looking forward to the challenge next week," Coleman said. "If we win it, we're in, and if we lose, we'll miss out. Half of the job is done and it's a big game and one you look forward to playing."

Stockton came from the clouds when they asked Cardiff-Boolaroo to bat first at Lynn Oval and ripped through their top and middle order to leave them reeling at 7-24.

The Seagulls' opening bowlers did the early damage as Pat O'Rourke took 2-3 off six overs while Darren Whittingham finished with 2-43 off 17.

Stockton skipper Mark Dries kept Cardiff on the back foot with figures of 5-51 and the only resistance was a 76-run ninth-wicket partnership between Corey Loveday (70) and Richard Green (36) as they reached 145.

Dries was undefeated on 83 when Stockton reached 4-231 at stumps, leaving him with a tough declaration decision to make when play resumes this week.

Newcastle City left-armer David MacKenzie ensured Charlestown will have a nervous week after he took 4-31 to dismiss them for 150 at No.1 Sportsground.

Charlestown are level with Cardiff in third place but have the lowest quotient of the top-five teams.

Skipper Steve Mace led the way for the Magpies with 55. Mark Curran took 3-25 as City reached 4-85 at stumps.

Leaders University had the chance to bowl only 51.1 overs before rain intervened but had defending champions Belmont 6-136 at Cahill Oval.

The two last-round matches that had no bearing on the finals between Merewether and Toronto Workers at Townson Oval and Western Suburbs and Waratah-Mayfield at Waratah Oval were both washed out.

Rain also washed out both City and Suburban A-grade semi-finals.

The re-scheduled matches will be played this weekend.