Lake Illawarra and Oak Flats face off in the minor premiership showdown on Saturday and in the Twenty20 final on Sunday in a bumper weekend for the Premier League’s top two clubs.
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The Lakers host Oak Flats on Saturday and after beating the Rats in the one-day final last December, will be hoping to be on their way to the minor premiership, one-day, Twenty20 treble by Sunday night.
Lake Illawarra took top spot by beating Shellharbour outright in round eight, while Oak Flats were left stranded by a draw after the second day’s play against Albion Park at Keith Grey Oval was surprisingly washed out.
South Coast officials met this week regarding the washout and from next season will instruct clubs that umpires and even Association board members become involved before a washout is declared, especially when other matches go ahead.
The Park picked up seven points for the draw and leapfrogged Kookas to fourth, with Kookas (fifth) and last-placed Shellharbour beaten in round eight.
Just two more rounds remain with the last-placed Premier League side set to be relegated to First Grade next season, with The Rail and Gerringong the top contenders to meet in the First Grade grand final promotion showdown.
Meanwhile, Kiama skipper Matt O’Brien is rapt his third-placed club have a mortgage on a semi-final spot after a convincing win over Kookas.
‘‘We knew if we played our best cricket we could make the semis,’’ O’Brien said, ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Albion Park.
‘‘We haven’t a superstar team but the spirit is good and young Josh Norris has been great, while our keeper Lane Tutty has done well and now we have Glenn Cleary back it’s making a difference to our attack.’’
In the other round nine two-day clash, Shellharbour and Kookas know a victory at Tom Willoughby Oval could put them in the top four, but a loss would leave them staring at relegation.
Finally, Sunday’s three T20 finals will be played at Croome Cricket Oval.
The Lakers and Oak Flats meet in Premier League (3.30pm), preceded by The Rail v Gerringong in First Grade (12.30pm) and Albion Park v Kiama in Second Grade (9.30am).
Premier League ladder: Lake Illawarra 117; Oak Flats 104; Kiama 81; Albion Park 39; Kookas 38; Shellharbour 30.
