Mick Perry drives in his important innings for Warilla Sports on Saturday. Picture: DAVID HALL
OAK Flats and Lake Illawarra will contest the South Coast Cricket Association's one-day competition final, following a tense series of round 10 matches on Saturday.
After four teams were locked in equal-first spot prior to the weekend, three of the four sides recorded wins. Lake wrapped up their place in the final and ended Shellharbour's chances at Howard Fowles Oval, while Oak Flats' easy win over Kiama sealed top spot.
The unlucky outfit was probably Albion Park, who scored a big win over local rivals The Rail, but were unable to sneak past the top two on percentages.
The other game featured Warilla Sports rekindling their semi-final hopes and moving into fourth spot on the overall competition table.
Most interest centred around the Lake Illawarra/Shellharbour match-up, the latter winning the toss and sending the home team in. The Lakers scored 8/228 from their 50 overs.
Brendan White starred, hitting eight fours and five sixes during his 91.
Shellharbour relied heavily on usual suspects Brynley Richards (65) and Ben Mitchell (31 not out), but were restricted to 6/161. White took 3/42.
Albion Park went closer to securing an overall semi-final spot, out-classing The Rail for a five-wicket win at Croom Road.
After winning the toss and batting, the Razorbacks slumped to 7/44, a late rally by Tim Goodall (40) and Simon Bartlett (22) getting them to 124.
Adam Coughlan (3/5) and Raheel Chaudry (3/17) were the best of the Eagles' attack.
In reply, the Park never seemed in any great trouble, despite losing two early wickets.
Opener Shergeel Chaudry made 54 and received solid middle order support, scoring the required runs with more than 13 overs to spare.
Gerringong/Jamberoo wasted a good start before going down to premiers Warilla Sports at Gerry Emery Oval.
The home side won the toss and were 1/63 before Peter Quine (35) was dismissed. From that point on it was a struggle, Steve Tinnion being left to hold the innings together.
He was second-last man out, for 47, as his side was bundled out for 123. Leg-spinner Gavin McCauley snared 3/12.
The Kookaburras' innings was steadied by McCauley (30) and Mick Perry. Perry remained 45 not out as the visitors got home by seven wickets.
Oak Flats thrashed Kiama at Geoff Shaw Oval. They scored 9/224, before Kiama were rolled for 100, including 26 sundries.