ALBION PARK have a grip on the minor premiership, while fourth spot remains in the balance heading into this Saturday's final day of the South Coast Cricket season.
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The Eagles took first innings points from leaders Lake Illawarra on day one at Keith Gray Oval, during what was essentially a minor premiership decider.
The Park dismissed the strong Lakers batting line-up for just 102, with Kerrod White making 64, and finished day one at 8-140.
Rob Monaghan took 4-34 for the Park, while Eagles skipper Adam Coughlan scored 47.
White made it another day to remember for the talented 20-year-old with 5-25.
Park all-rounder Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 50, though it is understood he will be unavailable for day two.
"We had a good day for a change and it'd be great for the club if we won the minor premiership," Coughlan said.
Meanwhile, the loser of the showdown between Kookas and Oak Flats at Oakleigh Park faces missing the top four.
Honours appear even heading into day two.
Nathan Brown played a lone hand with the bat for Oak Flats, scoring 80 of the Rats' total of 124.
Scott Cox (5-25) and skipper Gerard Healey (3-15) led the way for Kookas, who will resume at 6-79.
Mick Perry is unbeaten on 33.
Third-placed Kookas (144 points) headed into the final round six points ahead of Oak Flats (138), while fifth-placed Shellharbour (126 points) are on target for an outright win over Gerringong Jamberoo to seal a top-four spot.
Shellharbour rolled the Jet-Bulls for just 108 and prior to day two have claimed first innings points with 5-127.
Brynley Richards took 3-8 and made 37 for Shellharbour, while skipper Ben Mitchell snared 3-42 and is unbeaten on 24.
In the other game, Kiama made 9-155 against last-placed The Rail at Croome Cricket Oval.
Nathan Barr (55) top-scored for Kiama and Liam Anderberg 47.
Kiama were 1-103 at one stage, before Joel Willstrop (3-45) and Jarrod Colliss (3-23) got The Rail back in the contest. The Rail will resume at 2-30.
Sunday's Summers Cup Twenty20 semis and final proved a triumph for young Oak Flats opening batsman Kieran Gray. Gray scored an unbeaten 126 (featuring three fours and 11 sixes) in the semi-final against Gerringong, and 68 (two fours, six sixes) in the final against Lake Illawarra to spearhead his side to the Summers Cup Twenty20 title.
The Lakers beat Albion Park in their semi-final but faltered when chasing 3-185 to finish with a respectable 7-159.
