Gerringong/Jamberoo's Steve Tinnion goes on the attack. Picture: DAVID HALL
AFTER a week of controversy stemming from the suspension of four Lake Illawarra players and one Shellharbour player, the South Coast Cricket Association competition was back in action on Saturday, highlighted by two sparkling centuries.
Oak Flats' Kieran Gray scored a sublime 175 against premiers Warilla Sports at Oakleigh Park, while Gerringong/Jamberoo captain David Reid was equally impressive with 109 against The Rail.
Most interest centred around the Albion Park/Lake Illawarra clash at Howard Fowles Oval.
The Lakers handled the setback of fielding four new players with great determination.
The third-placed Park team won the toss and batted, but never really managed to get going against a Lake side without Mark Ulcigrai and Brendan White. They were dismissed for 112.
Adam Coughlan was run out for 32 and Jack Bennett made 27 for the Eagles, while captain Shane Cody (4/14), Jamie Crowhurst (2/20) and Aaron Henry (2/20) were the best of the Lakers' attack.
In reply, the Lake outfit made short work of the tally and finished the day at 3/143. Nathan Tyrell remained 60 not out, Cody scored 25 and Dave Lambert 23.
Bennett was the pick of the Park bowlers with two wickets.
Gerringong/Jamberoo's chances of moving back into the top four look promising after a solid day against the young Rail team at Gerry Emery Oval.
David Reid won the toss and elected to bat, and bat he did, blasting 109 against an under-strength Rail bowling line-up.
Reid came to the wicket with the home side at 2/51. He took to the bowling from the start, smashing five sixes and 13 fours and sharing a 113-run partnership with Steve Tinnion (38).
Chris McDonald (42), Scott Groves (40 not out) and Steve Brown (28) made handy runs as they declared at 6/314.
Col Yeaman (2/128 off 30 overs) and Andrew Warren (2/67 off 20 overs) bowled tirelessly, accounting for 50 of their rookie attack's 66 overs on the day.
Young wicket-keeper Jarrod Collis also did well, finishing with three catches and a stumping.
In reply, the Rail reached 1/27 at stumps.
Kieran Gray's brilliant 175 allowed Oak Flats to dominate the day against Warilla Sports, before they were bowled out for 318.
Gray blasted 23 fours and two sixes during his second century of the season. He received strong support from Nathan Brown (40) in a 110-run third- wicket partnership.
Kookaburras skipper Gerard Healey produced a superb effort to snare 6/26 off 13.4 overs.
Kiama Cavaliers will be looking for their second win of the year after finishing marginally in front of Shellharbour at Tom Willoughby Oval.
The Cavaliers were struggling at 5/45 and 6/97 before debutant Glenn Cleary joined Nathan Barr, and together added 63. Barr scored 59 not out and Cleary 40 to allow the visitors to finish with a competitive 169.
Beau Chamberlain took the bowling honours with 4/32, while Ben Mitchell and Jackson Brooks each bagged three wickets.
In reply, the Scorpions lost 3/34 before Mitchell and Nick Formosa steadied the innings. They remained unbeaten as they reached 3/63 at stumps.
