An opening day virtual washout has put pressure on Illawarra cricket's premiership contenders with Saturday's round 12 to have a huge bearing on the minor premiership and top-four standings.

Just 9.1 overs of the Balgownie versus Port Kembla game was possible in round 12 last Saturday, with the match to continue under two-day rules and an extra 40 minutes added to the playing time.

The other four first grade matches revert to hybrid one-dayers with special conditions to ensure each team is entitled to an even share of batting time.

With next Saturday's final round set down as one-dayers, the leading clubs will basically play back-to-back one-dayers before the two-day format of the semi-finals on March 14-15.

Leaders Helensburgh have just a two-point buffer from equal second-placed University and Corrimal, with Balgownie a close fourth heading into the penultimate round.

The top four is virtually settled but the premiership contenders want to finish first or second and earn insurance if rain is a factor in the finals.

Last season Keira claimed their first premiership in a quarter of a century with a tense draw against University after the first day of the final was washed out.

In Saturday afternoon's round 12, Helensburgh take on Wollongong at North Dalton Park.

Wollongong are well out of finals contention but want an upset to ensure they hand Keira the wooden spoon.

Twenty20 champions Corrimal host University at Ziems Park in the match of the round.

The winner will be in the box seat to claim a top-two spot and even apply pressure to Helensburgh for the minor premiership, with the Burgh facing the in-form Balgownie in the final round.

Bally resume on Saturday having Port Kembla in trouble at 3-16 at King George Oval.

In other games, Wests Illawarra host Northern Districts at Figtree Oval, while Keira will be desperate to beat Dapto at Keira Village to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the ignominy going from premiers to wooden spooners in 12 months.

Finally, on Sunday Keira skipper Jono Cook leads the Illawarra rep side against Newcastle at North Dalton Park in the annual Tennant-Ewin Shield.

Play starts at 10am.

Ladder: Helensburgh 70; University 68, Corrimal 68; Balgownie 62; Port Kembla 47; Dapto 42; Northern Districts 35; Wests 30; Wollongong 23; Keira 15.

ILLAWARRA CRICKET

ROUND 12 (Day 2)

Wests Illawarra  v  Northern Districts at Figtree Oval

Port Kembla  v  Balgownie at King George Oval

Corrimal  v  University at Ziems Park

Keira  v  Dapto at Keira Village 

Wollongong v Helensburgh at North Dalton Park