FOUR South Coast Premier League clubs are locked on two wins and contenders for the Twenty20 final heading into this Saturday’s final round of matches.
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Lake Illawarra, Oak Flats, Kiama and Kookas all have a 2-1 win-loss record, while Albion Park and Shellharbour are winless and out of contention for the February 15 final.
Kookas won one of their two games and Lake Illawarra won both matches as hosting clubs for round two last Saturday.
Kookas, who beat Oak Flats in round one, had a five wicket loss to the Rats in round two, then beat Albion Park to keep their hopes alive of making the final.
Against Oak Flats, Kookas made a competitive 5-129 off their 20 overs, but a hard-hitting 29 by Oak Flats opener Matt Counsell, plus unbeaten 31 from Jaye Jackman and undefeated 35 from skipper Ryan Chatterton - including three sixes and three boundaries - guided the visitors to victory.
Kookas bounced back to beat Albion Park by five runs in their second game.
The home side posted 7-120, led by 24 from opener Darren Zampa plus 34 from Mick Perry, who also made 42 against Oak Flats.
Kookas then restricted the Park to 8-115, with Hayden Church (31) and Jacob Lambert (27) top-scorers.
‘‘We need to win our last game and hope it’s enough to finish top two,’’ Kookas skipper Gerard Healey said.
‘‘The bowling and fielding wasn’t good enough against Oak Flats but improved considerably against Albion Park and we’re a shot at making the final.’’
Meanwhile, Lake Illawarra recovered from a surprise first-up loss to Kiama to beat Kiama and Shellharbour in their double-header at Howard Fowles Oval.
The Lakers held Kiama to 9-97 in their first game and won by seven wickets with skipper Brendan White (51 not out) top-scorer.
With the overall quotient from the four games likely to be vital in deciding the finalists, Lakers sprearhead Mark Ulcigrai then took 5-8, plus made 20 in the five wicket win over Shellharbour in game two.
Shellharbour finished 8-111, with the Lakers reaching the target in the 19th over. Scott Ulcigrai (24) top-scored.
In Saturday’s final round, Shellharbour and Oak Flats host double-headers.
The Park take on Kookas and then Oak Flats at Keith Grey Oval, with Shellharbour at home to Lakers and then Kiama at Tom Willoughby Oval.
The T20 finals in all grades is on Sunday, February 15.