Toronto secured a spot in this month's Newcastle District Cricket Association finals and a shot at the minor premiership after knocking off leaders Hamilton-Wickham at Passmore Oval on Saturday.
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With one round remaining in the regular season, the second-placed Kookaburras (64 points) have now moved within striking distance of the Pumas (67) and are safely inside the four following the top-of-the-table clash.
Toronto left-arm orthodox spinner Dylan Robertson claimed four wickets, including the key scalp of Hamwicks all-rounder Sam Webber on the third last ball, and Ryan Fenning top scored with 52 in the nine-run win.
The visitors dismissed Hamwicks for 155 after posting 164 in 44.1 overs.
"We did it the hard way but we got there in the end," Toronto captain Adrian Chad said.
"We actually dropped Sam [Webber] four times, the first one on zero, so it almost hurt us. It was probably the worst we have fielded all season but we were still able to get away with the win.
"There's some extra motivation there now as well with a shot at the minor premiership, but to beat Hamwicks and secure a spot in the semis helps lift our confidence."
Webber skied a Robertson delivery and Fenning ran in from deep mid-wicket to take the catch and seal the victory for Toronto.
Robertson ended up with figures of 4-45, combined with Fenning for a run out and earlier scored 14 runs.
Fenning was the mainstay for Toronto, helping the total from 2-19 to 5-103.
Webber was the best for Hamwicks, making 35 off 22 balls and taking 4-22.
Elsewhere on Saturday, University (55) jumped back inside the top four by comfortably accounting for fifth-placed defending champions Wests (52) at Harker Oval.
No.7 Luke Bird produced a quickfire 42 off 24 balls in University's total of 174 while Brad Aldous (4-46) and Joseph Price (3-58) were the pick of Wests' bowlers.
The last round sees Wests visit sixth-placed Merewether (50) in a grand final replay.
The winner, depending on the result between Hamwicks and University, may keep their title aspirations alive while it will definitely be season over for the loser.
Merewether fell one wicket short against Charlestown (60), who hung on at Kahibah Oval and move to third on the overall standings.
Resuming at 4-45 and chasing 130, Charlestown captain Jed Dickson (48 not out) hit the winning runs in the 49th over of day two.
Left-arm seamer Pat Magann collected a 10-wicket haul, five in each innings, as hosts Wallsend reeled in Cardiff-Boolaroo's 195 with three wickets to spare but missed outright points.
Belmont beat Stockton by 73 runs at Lynn Oval.
Meanwhile, Toronto (under 21s), Waratah (Dennis Broad Cup) and Callaghan XI (under 15s) won T20 finals ta No.1 Sportsground on Sunday.
LADDER: Hamwicks 67, Toronto 64, Charlestown 60, University 55, Wests 52, Merewether 50, Wallsend 42, Cardiff 39, Belmont 29, City 23, Stockton 22, Waratah 19.
