Batsmen across the three Premier League games relished the opening two-dayer of the season with Perry leading the charge as Kookas piled on 311 against Oak Flats at Geoff Shaw Oval.

  Perry had some escapes but made the Rats pay with 26 boundaries and one six in his highest score since a record-breaking 279 for Kookas in the 2009 semi-final against Albion Park.

 ‘‘Making 180 is among the top handful of knocks in our club’s history,’’ Kookas skipper Gerard Healey said.

‘‘Mick hits the ball so hard that once he gets going he’s hard to stop. With a great wicket to bat on and lightning fast outfield, it was made for a big score.’’

 Four Rats bowlers took two wickets with Andy Twyford the best with 2-10.

  Kookas will be without Perry and his Southern Zone teammates Callum DeBruin and Scott Cox for day two with Oak Flats to resume at 1-42 and well in the game.

 Meanwhile, Scott Ulcigrai hammered 126 against Albion Park to put Lake Illawarra in a commanding position at stumps on day one.

 Ulcigrai crushed four sixes, plus 17 boundaries.

 The Lakers posted 250 with Ulcigrai supported by older brother Mark who made 37. Premiers Albion Park are struggling at 6-88 in reply.

 Finally, Kiama beat Shellharbour in their one-day game the previous Saturday  and are on top in the two-dayer at Tom Willoughby Oval.

  Kiama posted 8-262 with Liam Anderberg (69) and Jaya Hartgerink (49) leading the way. Shellharbour will resume at 3-87. Sam Bracey is unbeaten on 26 and Ned Taylor 22 not out.

 ‘‘If we bowl well then 262 in the bank should be plenty,’’ Kiama skipper Matt O’Brien said.

 In a boost for Kiama but a blow for Southern Zone, leg-spinner O’Brien has had to pull out of the Southern side for the Country championships due to work commitments.

    Ladder (before round six): Lake Illawarra 63, Oak Flats 58, Kiama 39, Kookas 27, Shellharbour 27,  Albion Park 22.