ILLAWARRA CRICKET
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Balgownie won’t be flying under any more radars in Illawarra cricket after destroying Keira by 123 runs in their round three one-dayer at Judy Masters Oval.
Keira had lost just one match since the start of last season but were totally outplayed by a Bally team which has now put Dapto, Wests and the Lions to the sword.
Batting first, Balgownie posted 7-250 from its 50 overs, led by form batsman Adam Berwick, who was headed for his third consecutive ton to start the season, only to be run out on 72.
Paul Lynam (50) and Josh Hill (44) lent support, while Keira skipper Graeme Batty took 3-53.
Keira were never a hope in the run chase, routed for 127 off 32.2 overs, with Illawarra spinner James Fleming (3-50) – who took the new ball – and Chris Lawry (3-16) doing the damage.
New Lions signing, NSW Country all-rounder Cam Belshaw played a lone hand with an unbeaten 47.
‘‘I’m almost speechless how well we played,’’ Berwick said post-match.
‘‘We had a plan and executed it perfectly. We made runs and the bowlers bowled to a plan and put them under pressure and it paid off.’’
Meanwhile, Northern Districts skipper Mark Johnson (102) smashed his second ton in three rounds and put on an opening stand of 173 with Matt Salakas (74no) in an eight-wicket thrashing of Dapto.
Dapto posted 180 led by Dale Scifleet (41) and opener Ben Chapman (45) but the Butchers made the target look minuscule with a batting masterclass from Johnson and Salakas.
Corrimal made it two wins from three rounds with a 60-run victory over a determined Wests Illawarra at Ziems Park.
Jaymee Dillon (59), Kurtis Trindall (48) and Tom McDevitt (32no) led the way for the Cougars, who posted 213.
Teenager Oscar Oborn-Corby took 3-29 for Wests, who were dismissed in the 41st over for 153.
Grant Newman (47) top scored, while Xavier McDevitt (3-24) and Ben Rabjohns (3-32) bowled well for the home side.
At King George Oval, premiers Helensburgh dropped six catches but still cruised to a seven-wicket win over Port Kembla.
The Burgh bowlers did a great job dismissing Port for 147, with spinner Steve Blissenden taking 4-33. Port skipper Matt Scora (27) top scored.
Former Randwick batsman Duncan Hunt (56) led the way for the Burgh, with Blissenden completing a great match with an unbeaten 34.
‘‘Expect a lot of catching drills this week,’’ Burgh skipper Tim Lloyd said.
‘‘Generally it’s our bowlers who do the job for us but the batting was excellent. We think Duncan [Hunt] is going to offer us plenty in this competition.’’
Ryan Holcroft (5-28) claimed his second five-wicket haul in two games as University beat Wollongong by four wickets to post their first win of the season.