BY MIKE DRISCOLL
Oak Flats clinched the minor premiership, while Warilla teenager Nic Maddinson scored his second century of the season and helped the Kookaburras finish third, following the final round of South Coast cricket on Saturday.
Oak Flats beat Shellharbour outright to claim top spot from Albion Park, who beat Lake Illawarra on the first innings.
With Warilla beating Kiama outright, the Kookaburras leapfrogged Lake Illawarra into third spot and will face the Park in this weekend's semi-final at Geoff Shaw Oval.
In the other semi, Oak Flats take on the Lakers at Croome Road in a rematch of last season's final.
In last Saturday's other final round match, The Rail easily beat Jamberoo on first innings, but the Roo staved off outright defeat.
Resuming at 2-14 and chasing an unlikely 295, Jamberoo were bowled out for 89, Dan Stevenson taking 3-18 for The Rail.
Forced to follow-on, the Roo survived the day at 7-62, though Jamberoo coach Keith Meadows was livid over the state of the Croome Road wicket.
"It was a batting road on day one and a nightmare for us to bat on on day two," Meadows said.
"Play was delayed for 70 minutes and should have been abandoned, but the umpires made us bat from 2.10pm.
"The wicket was dreadful - balls taking divots out of the soft crust, making batting extremely difficult, even after the tea break.
"It was a great effort by Jamberoo to once again foil an outright victory on a very poorly-prepared wicket. Jamberoo has not lost a game outright in the last two seasons."
Given Meadows' blast, Oak Flats and Lake will be praying for a better wicket in the semi-final.
Oak Flats wrapped up the minor premiership, although Shellharbour did put up a good fight on day two at Geoff Shaw Oval.
Resuming in their second dig at 3-74, with a lead of only 68, Shellharbour made 173, with Colin Couchman top-scoring with 46.
Andrew Newman starred for the Rats with 5-62, while Rob McMahon's 45 and an unbeaten 70 from Col Yeaman ensured the Rats finished as the top side this season.
At Oakleigh Park, Warilla declared at 2-206 to take first innings points from Kiama (201).
Maddinson finished unbeaten on 101, with Blake Hutchison undefeated on 43.
Kiama mustered just 89 in their second dig, Frank Hidasi taking 4-18 and Adam Zampa 4-31.
An unbeaten 45 from Adam Foskitt helped Warilla (2-87) clinch third spot from Lake Illawarra.
At Howard Fowles Oval Albion Park easily defended their total of 159, rolling the Lakers for just 93.
Five Park bowlers took wickets, with Jess Hancock claiming 3-17. The Park enjoyed some second innings batting practice, finishing at 5-102, openers Peter Abela (31) and Hayden McKay (35) putting on 66.
Final ladder: Oak Flats 181, Albion Park 175, Warilla 164, Lake 158, Kiama 90, Rail 86, Shellharbour 61, Jamberoo 45.