McElhinney shredded one of the competition’s most formidable batting line-ups, before a wagging Helensburgh tale and early breakthrough set up a great day two between the top two sides.

 The Burgh were bowled out for 177, from 8-136, with Corrimal to resume at 1-25.

 Hayden McRae (42) and brother Mitch McRae (40) top-scored for Helensburgh, while Peter Kilby (3-27) lent valuable support to McElhinney.

Cougars skipper Rob Fisher was forced from the field late on day one after aggravating a dislocated shoulder but will be fine to bat on day two.

  ‘‘We let them off the hook a bit and might have been chasing 150-odd but still we’re in a good position,’’ Fisher said. 

‘‘We dropped a few chances and weren’t at our best but we’ve taken it right up to the top side. 

‘‘Aaron’s bowled great and deserved his bag and now the first hour with the bat next week will be crucial.’’

   Helensburgh and Corrimal meet again next Sunday  in the Twenty20 final at North Dalton Park.

  Meanwhile, in other round nine games, Balgownie skipper Corbin Brown smashed six sixes to top-score with 58 as the Magpies batted well posting 282 away to Northern Districts.

 Brown’s opening partner James Fleming made 54 and Sam Pointon 42, but Norths are still in the game at 0-38 in reply.

 At Uni Oval, Amit Balgi made 71 and Vijay Karthik 50 as the third-placed Students piled on 8-268 against Port Kembla.

 Teenager Jason Ralston took 3-47 with Port to resume at 0-11.

 Wests need an outright win over struggling Keira to keep their fleeting top four hopes alive and have taken first innings points at Figtree Oval.

 Keira were dismissed for 134 with Wests finishing at 7-140, with skipper Josh Hill (60) and Jarrod Collis (41no) saving the side. Jono Cook took 4-24.

 Finally, sixth-placed Dapto are closing in on first innings points against Wollongong at North Dalton Park.

 Wollongong were bowled out for 137, with teenager Sameer Murthy (40) top-scoring.

 Dapto spinner Kyle Connor took 4-9 off just four overs with the visitors to resume at 6-123 needing just another 15 for first innings points.