SOUTH COAST CRICKET
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Shellharbour won a final over thriller, Oak Flats beat Kookas outright in a semi-final eliminator and Albion Park clinched the minor premiership on a remarkable last day of the season in South Coast cricket.
Shellharbour plundered 10 runs off the final over of the contest to claim an outright win over Gerringong-Jamberoo and leapfrog the beaten third-placed Kookas into the semi-finals.
Needing an outright victory to finish fourth, Shellharbour started day two 5-127, and posted 164 to establish a 56-run first innings lead.
The Jets lower-order then batted for almost 30 overs to frustrate the visitors before being dismissed for 141.
A late-afternoon storm which washed out the rest of the round missed Gerry Emery Oval, leaving Shellharbour needing 86 for an outright win off 12 overs.
Brynley Richards (22 not out) smashed a six off the third last ball of the day, followed by a leg bye to seal victory for Shellharbour with two balls to spare.
"It was very tight," Shellharbour skipper Ben Mitchell admitted.
"We dropped a couple of catches, couldn't get their lower order out and it went down to the wire."
"Bryn [Richards] hit a square drive for six, an amazing shot to win it and now we're one win away from the final."
Meanwhile, it took just a handful of overs on day two for Oak Flats to seal their finals place and leave third-placed Kookas nervously hoping Gerringong-Jamberoo could avoid outright defeat to Shellharbour.
Kookas began day two at Oakleigh Park 6-79 chasing 125 for victory, but were quickly bowled out for 85.
Andy Twyford started day two with 5-8 for the Rats, and took two more wickets to finish with a season-best 7-10.
Oak Flats were 3-131 in their second innings with Kieran Gray making 76 before the storm forced an early finish.
"It's a big relief to make the semis," Oak Flats skipper Ryan Chatterton admitted.
"It would have been tough going into the last game with one loss all season and then to miss out, but we're there now and looking forward to taking on Lakers.
"It would have been good to meet Lake [Illawarra] in the grand final, but now we have to get past them to get there."
Albion Park clinched the minor premiership with a gutsy first innings victory over Lake Illawarra at Keith Grey Oval.
The Park set up the victory on day one, taking first innings points and denied the Lakers' outright points on day two.
Resuming at 8-140, having dismissed the Lakers for 102, the Park were bowled out for 141.
With a first innings lead of 39, Lakers batted until tea declaring 9-174, with Kerrod White (34), Scott Ulcigrai (34) and skipper Shane Cody (31) top-scorers.
Jarrod Booth took 3-29 for the Park who were 1-9 in their second dig when rain forced an end to play.
Albion Park will take on Shellharbour at Keith Grey Oval in their semi-final with the Lakers to host Oak Flats at Howard Fowles Oval in the other semi.
Finally, Kiama (9-155 and 0-40) beat The Rail (95) to leave the Razorbacks with the wooden spoon.
SOUTH COAST
Semi-finals, Saturday and Sunday
(1) Albion Park vs (4) Shellharbour at Keith Grey Oval
(2) Lake Illawarra vs (3) Oak Flats at Howard Fowles Oval