MARK Ulcigrai smashed an unbeaten 102 off only 58 balls to ensure Lake Illawarra booked a spot in next month's South Coast Premier League Twenty20 final.
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Ulcigrai bludgeoned six sixes and eight boundaries against Shellharbour to post the only century of the three-round T20 competition for the six Premier League clubs.
"It was a big performance, just what we needed with it real tight to make the final," Lakers skipper Brendan White said.
Oak Flats claimed the other spot in the final on countback from Warilla and Kiama, who all won their final pool games on Saturday to finish with three wins and one loss.
Oak Flats' Rob Hill made an unbeaten 37 as the Rats made 2-93 in 11.4 overs to thrash Albion Park (9-91), while earlier on Saturday, Kookas chased down 121 against the Park in a seven-wicket win.
Kiama (5-143) had a four-run win over Shellharbour (5-139) after Shellharbour youngster Jayden Heathcote (59 not out) top scored.
Lakers, Kookas, Oak Flats and Kiama all had a 2-1 win-loss record heading into Saturday's final T20 round with Shellharbour and Albion Park hosting double-headers.
The Lakers had the best quotient (1.599) heading into their fourth and final game and improved it to 2.093 with a 78-run victory over a spirited Shellharbour.
White smashed 68 to lend support to a rampant Ulcigrai as Lakers posted a massive 3-193.
Shellharbour batted well making 8-115, led by Ken Nguyen's 34. Ryan Smith took 4-12 for Lakers.
Meanwhile, at Keith Grey Oval, Kookas did all they could to make the final by improving their quotient from 1.372 to 1.437 with a strong seven-wicket win over Albion Park.
Rob Monaghan (68) top scored for the Park who posted 5-121, with Kookas reaching the target with seven wickets and three overs to spare.
Adam Tracey finally had a work-free Saturday and made 41, with Craig Bramble 40 not out.
"It's our best win of the T20 comp,' Kookas skipper Gerard Healey said.
"We bowled pretty well and having Adam [Tracey] back was a big plus."