ILLAWARRA CRICKET
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sharath Shailesh responded to being dropped by taking a career-best 6-29 against Wests Illawarra as the Students claimed a final round win and semi-final spot.
Left-armer Shailesh was dropped for the round 12 clash against Northern Districts but made a statement on his recall with a match-winning haul, as Uni rolled the winless Wests for just 73 at Uni Oval.
Uni one-day skipper Taun Stanham ensured the impending storm was not a factor with a run-a-ball unbeaten 37 as the home side won by seven wickets, with almost 33 overs to spare.
"On a great batting deck Sharath bowled a superb spell," Stanham said.
"It's a credit to him he came back from being dropped and bowled the way he did."
Fourth-placed University take on unbeaten minor premiers Balgownie in the semi-final at Dalton Park.
Stanham said the pressure was squarely on Balgownie.
"You wouldn't want to go through a whole season undefeated then get knocked out in the semis."
In other final round matches, Wollongong's inconsistent season ended on a high with a thumping win over Port Kembla at King George Oval. Wollongong posted 153, led by skipper Dave Studholme's 30, while Dan Beretov took 3-33 for Port.
The home side was then bowled out for just 38 in 16.4 overs, with Shane Fanning taking 3-7 and Srinath Vanapalli 3-25.
Keira and Dapto tuned up for their semi-final at Figtree Oval with Keira denied victory by rain in their final round clash at Keira Oval.
Neither side was at full strength, with Dapto dismissed for 87 and the Lions 0-49 when the storm struck. Lincoln Bendall-Moon took 3-20 for Keira.
The Balgownie v Helensburgh and Corrimal v Northern Districts matches finished in rain-marred draws.
Corrimal were 3-43 chasing Norths' 114 at Hollymount Park, while Helensburgh were 3-25 in reply to Bally's 9-193 when rain ended their clash at Helensburgh Oval.
ILLAWARRA
Semi-finals, Saturday and Sunday
(1) Balgownie v (4) University at North Dalton Park.
(2) Keira v (3) Dapto at Figtree Oval.
Final ladder: Balgownie 87, Keira 75, Dapto 61, Uni 58, Corrimal 52, Helensburgh 51, Wollongong 50, Norths 45, Port 35, Wests 13.