ILLAWARRA clubs play their third format in as many Saturdays with semi-final spots on the line on the opening day of the round nine two-dayer this afternoon.
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A month of T20s has been settled with Helensburgh and Corrimal to meet in Sunday week’s final, while the premiership resumed last Saturday with one-dayers.
Balgownie replaced Port Kembla in the top four following a crushing win over Wests Illawarra, while Corrimal consolidated second spot with a fine all-round five wicket away win over Port Kembla.
Just two more two-day rounds and three one-dayers remain before the semi-finals with only 12 points separating leaders Helensburgh from fifth-placed Port.
Sixth-placed Dapto kept their finals hopes alive with a 77-run home win over Northern Districts, spearheaded by skipper Dale Scifleet’s unbeaten 99 and season-high 76 from Troy Gasseling.
Dapto face struggling Wollongong at North Dalton Park on Saturday and must keep winning to stay a top four chance.
‘‘It was a good win (over Northern Districts) and the key for us is consistency,’’ Scifleet said.
In other round nine games, Wests Illawarra will want to improve their batting at home to a Keira side desperate to post just a second win of the season.
Before their battle for the T20 title, Helensburgh and Corrimal meet in a top of the table two dayer at Helensburgh Oval.
Corrimal are on a four game winning run, while Helensburgh are the side to beat for the premiership with six victories this season and just one defeat, to University in round six.
Port Kembla host Uni and Norths are at home to Balgownie in other round nine matches.
Meanwhile, Lake Illawarra, Oak Flats, Kiama and Kookas all have a 2-1 win-loss record heading into Saturday’s final T20 round in South Coast Premier League.
The Lakers (1.5992) and Oak Flats (1.4291) have the best quotient with both knowing a win today should be enough to make the February 15 final.
Albion Park and Shellharbour have yet to win a T20 game and host two games this afternoon.
The Park take on Kookas and Oak Flats at Keith Grey Oval, with Shellharbour at home to Lakers and then Kiama.
Illawarra ladder: Helensburgh 50, Corrimal 48, University 47, Balgownie 41, Port Kembla 38, Dapto 28, Northern Districts 25, Wests Illawarra 22, Wollongong 16, Keira 13.
South Coast T20 ladder: Lake Illawarra 30pts (1.5992 quotient), Oak Flats 30pts (1.4291), Kookas 30pts (1.3717), Kiama 30pts (1.0876), Shellharbour 4pts, Albion Park 4pts.
