Gerringong/Jamberoo all-rounder Jesse O'Hare straight drives during Sunday's first grade semi-final. Picture: DAVID HALL
IT perhaps seemed inevitable all season, but Lake Illawarra and Oak Flats will clash in this weekend's South Coast Cricket Association first grade final after comfortable semi-final victories.
The Lakers downed Gerringong/Jamberoo last weekend with a big 171-run win at Howard Fowles Oval, after the home side won the toss and batted.
The Lake lost both openers early, but a series of good partnerships helped them to score a more-than-competitive 262.
The returning Ulcigrai brothers batted well, with Scott scoring 62 and Mark 39 not out, while Brendan White (42) and Graham Connor (32) also made excellent contributions. Scott Adams bowled superbly to take 4/57 off 21 overs for Gerringong/Jamberoo.
The combined team never really got their innings started after losing 1/3 at the end of day one, and quickly slumped to 3/11 on Sunday.
In the end they were bowled out for a disappointing 91, Steve Tinnion top-scoring with 39.
Oak Flats scored an equally impressive victory over Shellharbour at Geoff Shaw Oval.
Batting first after winning the toss, Shellharbour struggled from the outset, being dismissed for 118, painstakingly scored from 72 overs.
Kieran Gray (4/19), Andrew Twyford (2/16) and Joel Gray (2/21) were the chief destroyers.
Oak Flats had no problem knocking off the runs for the win before getting some valuable batting practice, finishing with 7/309.
This was mainly thanks to a sparkling century from opener Michael Arblaster, which included five fours and two sixes.
The full draw for next weekend's finals is as follows:
First grade Lake Illawarra vs Oak Flats at Croome Rd, second grade Jamberoo vs Lake Illawarra at Keith Gray Oval, third grade Oak Flats vs Lake Illawarra at Myimbarr East, fourth grade Kiama vs Oak Flats at Myimbarr West.
