Balgownie batsman Chris Sheppard rewrote the Illawarra cricket record books with an unbeaten 213 as the Magpies crushed Port Kembla in round seven at King George Oval.
In his 20th season of first grade, Sheppard's double ton surpassed former team-mate Paul Lynam's 208 in the 1999-2000 season as the highest first grade score on a turf wicket.
It was Sheppard's 12th century overall and while he admitted to some good fortune, with three dropped catches along the way, it was a knock he'll never forget.
"It was my day. I had some luck but everything was in my favour," he said.
"It was a good deck, the outfield was quick and the ball just kept coming off the middle into the gaps.
"Ross Tarrant (Port veteran) said it was a district batting record and I guess it's something to be proud off when I finish up."
Bally's win was far from a formality when they resumed at 2-31, chasing 228.
But with support from nightwatchman Jamie Fleming (51) and Josh Lehane (50), Sheppard's vintage knock rings alarm bells for Bally's rivals, with the 2007-08 champions and last season's finalists again among the teams to beat.
Meanwhile, in the top of the table clash at Keira Oval, Dapto consolidated top spot and inflicted Keira's first loss of the season.
Defending a massive 9-371, Dapto medium-pacer Tommi Bozinovski wrecked the Lions' batting, taking 6-61, while Kyle Connor took 3-27. Keira were out for 164.
At North Dalton Park, Wollongong bounced back to form with an easy win over University.
The Students resumed at 0-13, chasing 203, but were bowled out for just 93 in 31.5 overs. Jason Welsh (3-35), Shane Fanning (3-30) and Steve Blissenden (3-6) did the damage.
With a lead of 110, Wollongong did not enforce the follow-on, batting on (6-111) and chasing an outright win.
Uni barely survived the day at 7-71. Welsh took 5-18, with match figures of 8-53.
Premiers Corrimal belted Wests Illawarra by nine wickets at Ziems Park. There was no play on day one but Corrimal quickly wrapped up first innings points on day two, rolling Wests for 99.
Brent Dawson got 31 for Wests, while Stuart Tobin, Brad Jardine, Dean Merola and Rob Fisher all took two wickets for Corrimal. Fisher completed an unbeaten 62.
Skipper Andrew Northridge made a half century in both innings as Helensburgh beat Northern Districts at Hollymount Oval.
Resuming at 6-54 chasing 163, Norths were bowled out for 124, with Neil Ryan (38) top-scoring. Northridge (3-20) and Matt Treuberg (3-23) did the damage.
Helensburgh declared their second innings at 5-111, with Northridge 69no.
Sam Northridge then took 5-37 as Norths finished at 7-99 in their second dig.
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