Hamilton-Wickham have picked up where they left off.
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Last season's minor premiers remain the only undefeated team after the opening five rounds of the Newcastle District Cricket Association first grade competition and they now have a chance to defend their one-day title later this month.
The Pumas topped pool A following a four-wicket win against Charlestown at Kahibah Oval on Saturday and will meet pool B leaders Wests in the 40-over decider on November 24.
Hamwicks made finals in all three formats in 2018-19, claiming the Tom Locker Cup crown.
Wickets in the weekend's encounter were shared between off-spinner Kain Anderson (3-41), left-arm orthodox spinner Abe Gibson (2-15), openers Sam Webber (2-9) and Mitch Casey (2-10) as the Pumas dismissed Charlestown for 116.
In reply Hamwicks were 2-6 and 5-50, but batting at No.7 Webber scored 46 not out from just 28 balls to get the visitors across the line six down with 11.4 overs left.
Rory Maddison (3-36) and Matthew Bench (32) were best for the beaten Magpies.
The pool B final spot was secured by Wests, who collected a bonus point against Belmont at Harker Oval courtesy of Joseph Price's 103 not out.
Wests, who broke through for a maiden Tom Locker Cup success in 2017-18, restricted Belmont to 9-159 before surpassing the target two down in the 18th over.
Merewether and Wallsend had also been in contention to make the decider, but ultimately fell short of Wests on the overall rankings despite centuries to Lions stand-in skipper Josh Geary and Tigers all-rounder Jake Montgomery.
Geary made 116 as Merewether finished 6-244, chasing the home side's 7-242 with four balls to spare. Montgomery's 121 meant back-to-back tons, which he also achieved last season.
Elsewhere on Saturday, both Waratah-Mayfield (5-223) and Toronto (7-247) recorded their first wins of 2019-20 over Stockton (194) and City (208) respectively.
University (5-151) accounted for hosts Cardiff-Boolaroo (9-150).
POOL A: Hamwicks 27; University, Cardiff, Charlestown 16; Stockton 11; Waratah 10.
POOL B: Wests 22; Merewether 21; Wallsend 16; Belmont 14; City 12; Toronto 11.
