David Murphy, who opened with Hughes for NSW under 17s, 19s and Australian under 19s  destroyed Keira, hammering 102 for Balgownie inside the first 13 overs at Keira Oval.

  Murphy had to withdraw from Illawarra’s Country Championship side due to work, with Keira  wishing he’d also missed Saturday’s  round six clash.

 Not many games are over inside 15 overs but this one was.

 From the top of the order Murphy bludgeoned 90 in boundaries - 15 fours and five sixes - with Bally 2-162 in the 13th over on his dismissal.

 ‘‘This is definitely for Phil,’’ Murphy said. 

‘‘We got to know each other well through rep and Phil was always saying back yourself, which is what I have always tried to do.

 ‘‘The first ball went to the boundary and after that everything seemed to click.

 ‘‘Given Phil was a mate it was a great day to bat well. When I reached the ton I just looked to the sky. It’s a knock I’ll never forget.’’

  Illawarra and South Coast players wore black armbands with a minute’s silence observed before all games to mark Hughes death last Thursday after the rising star of Australian cricket was hit on the head by a bouncer.

 Some clubs mowed Hughes’ Test number ‘408’ onto their outfield as a mark of respect, while social media was awash with tributes.

   Hughes was best known for his fearless, almost carefree attack on bowlers, an attribute which embodies Murphy more than any other Illawarra cricketer.

That the Balgownie star made the fastest Illawarra century for many seasons on the weekend everyone was remembering Hughes was a special moment.

 Bally went to post 9-281, with skipper Corbin Brown (46) and Sam Pointon (42) playing supporting roles to Murphy.

 Keira was dismissed for 135, with 17-year-old debutant Toby Felvus top-scorer with 24.

   In other games, University ended Helensburgh’s unbeaten season with a 45-run win at Uni Oval.

 Stand-in skipper Amit Balgi (39) steered Uni to 171, before Simon Irish’s (3-17) new ball spell ensured the Burgh were bowled out for just 126. Lachlan Brady took 4-34 for the Burgh.

 At Figtree Oval, Corrimal consolidated a top four spot by belting Wests in a match completed in 56 overs.

     Wests made just 100, with Pat Dillon taking 5-32 for Corrimal. Jaymee Dillon (43) ensured the run chase lasted just 15 overs.

  Port Kembla maintained their good form with an eight wicket win over Dapto.

  Chasing 6-179 after Richard Marsh made an unbeaten 83 for Dapto, Port scorched to the target in just 27 overs, led by Christian Lewis (62) and skipper Ryan Mattas (72 not out).

Northern Districts (8-204) bounced back from an outright loss to University with a strong home win over Wollongong (141).

 Lachlan Dunn (88) and Justin Brancato (56) top-scored for the Butchers, with Rob Murphy taking 3-24.

Ladder: Helensburgh 41, University 37, Corrimal 35, Port Kembla 34, Balgownie 31, Northern Districts 22, Wests Illawarra 18, Dapto 18,  Wollongong 13, Keira 5.