Doctor destroys Shellharbour

A SPELL of 7/17 from Darren O’Connell propelled Oak Flats to an easy 10-wicket win over Shellharbour at Tom Willoughby Oval. O’Connell’s maelstrom led to strugglers Shellharbour succumbing for just 53 batting first. Nick Formosa (220 was the only Shellharbour bat to offer any resistance while Andy Newman (2/5) and Rob McMahon (1/4) were the other Rats bowlers to claim wickets. Oak Flats reached their meagre target without losing a wicket, led by Col Yeaman’s 27 not out. Meanwhile, Albion Park moved onto the second rung of the South Coast cricket ladder with a 16-run win over fellow heavyweights Lake Illawarra at Keith Grey Oval. Batting first, the Eagles cobbled a respectable 6/189, led by 44 from Stephen Milgate and an unbeaten 31 from Jess Hancock. Craig Acton (2/32, including the prized wicket of Milgate), was the only Lake bowler to claim multiple wickets. The Lakers could only muster 173 in reply, despite 67 from Shane Cody and 42 from Brendan White. Spinner Adam Sharp claimed both their wickets and two others to finish with 4/40 while Troy Burns and Graeme Smith both bagged 2/31. The Eagles will meet Warilla Sports in the one-day competition final after the competition-leading Kookas defeated Kiama by seven wickets at Kiama Sporting Complex. Batting first the Cavs tallied 162, led by 55 from John Simon and 31 from Tim Wolf. Nash Hutchinson was the pick of the Warilla bowlers with 4/25. A balanced batting effort helped the Kookas meet their victory target with seven wickets in hand. Craig Bramble and Mick Perry scored twin 46s to lead Warilla’s charge while Dan Reilly and Matt Bond snared 1/29 apiece for Kiama. Meanwhile, Jamberoo turned in a brave performance before losing to The Rail by four wickets at Kevin Walsh Oval. Batting first, Jamberoo posted a credible 199, led by 78 from Chris McDonald and 50 from Keith Meadows. Jason Kennedy (3/23) and Simon Bartlett (3/35) led The Rail’s attack. Andrew Warren (66 not out) and Bronson Mauro (43) combined to bring the Razorbacks home with four wickets in hand. Meadows (2/23) and Dean Robinson (2/25) were the pick of Jamberoo’s bowlers. This Saturday South Coast cricket reverts to two-day matches. Oak Flats host Warilla Sports at Geoff Shaw Oval, Kiama meet The Rail at Kiama, Jamberoo faces Lake Illawarra and Albion Park host Shellharbour City. Meanwhile, a gambling declaration by Keira backfired in Saturday’s round of Illawarra cricket action. Round five had been reduced to one-day matches played with two-days rules and Keira hoped to take advantage of the unusual playing condition in their clash with Corrimal at Keira Oval. Keira led by 140 after the first innings and declared their second dig at 0/0 in a bid for outright points. However, Corrimal scored the required runs with five wickets in hand. University are still leading the competition after a win over Wests while Knut Wilmott marked his return to Illawarra cricket by hammering an unbeaten century for Helensburgh in their big win over Norths. Balgownie beat Wollongong and Dapto defeated Port Kembla.