Semi-final hopes of four Newcastle District Cricket Association teams hang in the balance after a thrilling penultimate day of the regular season. Fifth-placed Merewether are locked in a cliffhanger with Belmont (2nd) and sixth-ranked City have put themselves in a strong position against minor premiers Wests while Hamilton-Wickham and Stockton, already inside the top four but at risk of dropping out, are already five wickets down chasing totals. Results from each of these last-round fixtures will impact who stays alive in the first-grade competition for 2020-21. Townson Oval holds the key first up this weekend after Merewether finished day one just three runs shy of victory but with only one wicket in hand after dismissing Belmont for 105. The Lions' last pair, Sam O'Sullivan and Sam Holding (both 0 not out), will resume at 9-103 after the hosts had been 5-90 and then lost 3-0 late on Saturday. Josh Geary top scored with 44 before being trapped in front LBW by Dan Bailey, who has figures of 5-23. Belmont captain Marcus Hainsworth earlier made 37 prior to O'Sullivan (4-21) triggering a collapse of 7-17. City, also needing to win, were guided to 148 by skipper Mitch Nesbitt (72) before Aidan Cahill (3-31) and Angus McTaggart (3-29) ripped through Wests' batting line-up at Harker Oval. The Rosellas require a further 66 runs with three wickets in hand, sitting at 7-83 after losing 5-28. Brendon Charlton did the damage for Toronto at Passmore Oval, hitting 70 before taking 3-13 to leave third-placed Hamwicks 5-33 in pursuit of 9(dec)-172. Fourth-placed Stockton are 5-72 after University produced 161. Sea Dragons captain Andrew Harriott made 75 at University Oval while Jared Humphreys claimed 7-22. Wallsend and Charlestown, both outside chances of making the play-offs but needing an outright, are playing each other at Wallsend Oval. The hosts are 3-112 in reply to Charlestown's 168. In the remaining game, Waratah-Mayfield's Josh Hardy (104) notched up a century after a 106-run opening stand between skipper Nathan Hudson (54) and Kieran Brackenbury (48) at Pasterfield Sports Complex. They eventually declared at 8-298 and bowled two overs at Cardiff-Boolaroo, who were 0-6 at stumps. LADDER: Wests 60, Belmont 50, Hamwicks 47, Stockton 46, Merewether 44, City 43, Wallsend 40, Charlestown 37, Toronto 27, Waratah-Mayfield 26, University 25, Cardiff-Boolaroo 10. IN THE NEWS: Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: