Balgownie skipper Corbin Brown destroyed the Port Kembla attack blasting 111 in the Magpies’ emphatic victory in Saturday’s Illawarra T20 clash at Judy Masters Oval.
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Brown hammered eight sixes and nine boundaries in just 58 minutes and brought up his ton in only the 11th over.
Brown and David Murphy (48) put on 102 for the opening wicket as Bally powered to 6-216 off their 20 overs.
Matt Skora took 3-18 for Port, who though well beaten fought hard to post 6-155 in reply.
Daniel Phelps (43) top-scored while young Balgownie quick Michael Toussis took 4-33.
‘‘You don’t get too many days like this. Everything came off the middle of the bat,’’ Brown said.
With the Illawarra T20 comp reduced to three rounds after the opening two rounds were washed out, Balgownie’s big percentage-boosting win has them in a strong position to make the top four semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Northern Districts are targeting a semi-final spot after Lachlan Dunn dominated defending champions Keira with ball and bat at Hollymount Park.
The Butchers won by 10 wickets, dismissing Keira for just 84 with Dunn taking 3-16, plus making an unbeaten 60.
Norths may need to only beat either Corrimal or University in the double-header final two rounds on January 10 to book a semis spot.
‘‘With the start we’ve made we definitely want to make the semis now,’’ Butchers captain Matt Salakas said.
‘‘Taking 10 wickets and not losing a wicket means our quotient will be very good.
‘‘Lachy (Dunn) was outstanding. It’s his first full season in first grade and he keeps improving.
‘‘I moved him up to opener a few weeks ago and he made 88 and now an unbeaten 60, while he can take wickets as well.’’
Defending back-to-back Illawarra T20 champions Keira made a positive start with openers Kieren Richards and Matthew Williams (17) putting on 41.
But with their skipper and NSW Country star Jono Cook not playing the Lions lost 8-34, with Dunn and Anthony Sheeley (4-18) the destroyers.
In other games, University opener James Chappell made a half century to lead the Students to a confident seven wicket victory over Corrimal at Uni Oval.
In the battle of two teams in the premiership top four, Uni bowled well to restrict Corrimal to 6-118.
Hayden Brown made an unbeaten 28 off 30 balls at the end of the Cougars innings to give his bowlers a reasonable total to defend.
But Chappell’s unbeaten 52 off just 54 balls and skipper Mitch Calder (26 not out ) ensured the home side won comfortably.
Meanwhile, skipper David Studholme (59) led the way for Wollongong (6-147) in a 23-run home win over Wests Illawarra (5-125). Jarrod Colliss made 63 for Wests.
Finally, Nathan Marciante (58) top-scored as Helensburgh (6-129) beat Dapto (7-112) in their annual charity day clash at Helensburgh Oval.
The Illawarra comp takes a break for Christmas and resumes with the T20 rounds on January 10.
