ILLAWARRA CRICKET
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New skipper Adam Berwick made it back-to-back centuries as Balgownie trounced Wests Illawarra to claim top spot and issue a warning to rivals they are finals contenders this campaign.
Bally took first innings points on day one and with a 92-run lead, Berwick pressed on from being 77 not out to belt 111.
Having smashed 274 off only 49.5 overs, Bally routed Wests for just 74 in under 29 overs.
Kody Freeman took 5-16 for a match haul of eight wickets, with Berwick left satisfied with two comprehensive wins from the first two rounds.
‘‘We see ourselves as a finals team and think most clubs will now look at us the same way,’’ Berwick said.
‘‘We’ve added a top quality wicket-keeper bat in Josh Hill but importantly fixed a few things off the field and the attitude is where it needs to be.
‘‘Keira this week is a big test, but so far so good.’’
Berwick is relishing the captaincy after smashing an unbeaten 106 against Dapto to go with 111 against Wests, plus a handy 36 at No3 for Illawarra in the T20 win over Sutherland last Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Port Kembla had to settle for first innings points against Northern Districts, who batted 66 overs in their second innings to prevent an outright loss.
Resuming at 6-126 after dismissing the Butchers for 91, Port made 180, led by opener Daniel Phelps’ 37.
The Butchers replied with 8-168, with Port spinner Greg Wray taking nine wickets for the match.
At Helensburgh Oval, Neel Honavar’s 58 guided Keira (8-216) to first innings points after dismissing Helensburgh for 158 on day one.
The Burgh were 4-94 in their second dig.
Dapto left University at the foot of the ladder after a easy outright win at Reed Park.
Resuming at 9-129 after rolling Uni for 113 on day one, Dapto posted 143, with Ryan Holcroft taking 6-26 for the Students.
Troy Gasseling (4-34) routed the Uni top order with the match over before tea, with the home side rolled for 89 and Dapto 1-60 in their second dig.
Wollongong and Corrimal produced 371 runs for just eight wickets lost on day two at North Dalton Park.
Wollongong posted 3-243, led by teenager Kain Flynn-Duncombe (74 not out), while Corrimal (6-168) batted out the day.