SOUTH COAST CRICKET
Oak Flats and Lake Illawarra powered into next month's South Coast cricket final after big wins in the last one-day round on Saturday.
Oak Flats, the Lakers, Shellharbour and Albion Park were separated only by differential heading into the seventh one-day round, with Lake booking their spot in the February 3 final with a 67-run away win over Shellharbour.
Albion Park (5-127) had the lowest run differential of the top four clubs but did their part with a five wicket win over The Rail (124), but Oak Flats - with a much superior run differential to the Park - confirmed their place by thrashing Kiama.
Lake Illawarra reached the last four in the prestigious SCG Country Cup last month and looked sharp in a win over Shellharbour.
The Lakers posted 8-228 thanks to Brendan White's 91, plus 36 from Scott Ulcigrai, and then restricted Harbour to 6-161.
White took 3-42 and Jamie Crowhurst 1-9 off 10 overs.
Brynley Richards (65) and skipper Ben Mitchell (31 not out) top-scored for Shellharbour.
"We set a goal to win the minor premiership, premiership and one-day titles this season and getting to the one-day final is a big plus for the club," Lakers skipper Shane Cody said.
"We had a great run in the SCG Cup in Gosford and wanted to come back playing well and we did that."
Oak Flats were just as impressive in beating Kiama at Geoff Shaw Oval.
Nathan Brown (61), Andrew Newman (56) and Andy Twyford (38 not out) blazed the trail for Oak Flats, who posted 9-224.
Kiama were then routed for 100, with four Oak Flats bowlers taking two wickets each.
At Croome Road Sporting Complex, Albion Park (5-127) beat neighbours The Rail (124) by five wickets.
Raheel Chaudhry took 3-17 for The Park, with Shergeel Chaudhry then top-scoring with 54.
In the other game Warilla Sports belted Gerringong Jamberoo by seven wickets. The Jets were rolled for 123, with Steve Tinnion (47) top-scoring and Gavin McCauley taking 3-12.
Warilla reached the target with 15 overs to spare led by an unbeaten 45 from Mick Perry.