But despite Bidner’s all-round heroics, Paterson was forced to settle for a draw when lightning and heavy rain forced the game to be abandoned with Raworth on 6/64 in reply

Batting at No.3 Bidner scored 101 as Paterson finished on 9/195 from their 40 overs. His innings included 13 fours and three sixes.

His best support came from Rodney Faulkner who scored 35 and Russell Presland whose 24 included a six and three fours.

Raworth’s Tim Baker, who took a rare triple hat-trick against Dungog earlier in the season, was the best of the bowlers snaring 3-14 from eight overs.  Ryan Lacy (2-23) and Ryan Threlfo (2-35) both picked up a brace.

Dean Bridges got the opening wicket for Paterson, as he and Presland restricted the Raworth batsmen.

But then it became the Bidner show as he took 5-9 from four overs to have Paterson firmly on top before a storm halted play.

The teams were awarded two points each for the draw and it leaves Paterson third on the ladder two points behind Windsor Castle. The two teams meeting on Saturday at Blackhill, an unhappy hunting ground for Paterson.

Dungog v Windsor Castle

After forfeiting two weeks ago and last week’s heat ban, Dungog got back on the field and set Windsor Castle a reasonable target of 145 batting first at Blackhill Oval in Maitland.

Stuart Reeves top scored with 36 and Aaron Cottom was next best with 23.

Aaron Clack was the chief destroyer for the Stallions taking 5-19.

Windsor Castle’s openers wasted no time chasing the target. Leigh Williams smashed 81 including seven four and six sixes and Chad Ryan’s 41 included six sixes and two fours.

Daniel Rumbel (2-16) and Cottom (2-6) had the best figures for Dungog’s bowlers.

Paterson kept their finals hopes alive with an upset 41-run win against top-of-the-ladder Lochinvar after posting 6/117. Shaun Presland (30) and Jacob Watson (27) top scored.

Second-placed Dungog were unable to take advantage of the result losing by three wickets to Fred Harvey Memorial after posting 146.