The match between the bottom two sides is set to deliver the winner fourth spot and a semi-final berth, but the loser is expected to be relegated to First Grade next season.

  Albion Park held the upper hand for most of day one, having dismissed the visitors for 115 and were 3-82 just before stumps.

 But three late wickets, including Eagles top-scorer Kieran Gilly (31) in the final over, has given Shellharbour a fighting chance to take first innings points and avoid the drop back to First Grade.

‘‘We need four wickets and if we can get an early one on day two the pressure is right on their tail,’’ Shellharbour skipper Todd Cordes said.

 Ned Taylor (27) and Maddison Smith (22) top-scored for Shellharbour, while a great spell from Rob Monaghan (4-40) and Park skipper Adam Coughlan (2-4) put the Park on top.

 The stakes could hardly be higher for either clubs, especially with fourth-placed Kookas facing a huge tasking against Lake Illawarra in a game they must win to claim the last semi-final spot.

 The Lakers recovered from 9-118 to make 206 at Oakleigh Park, with Kookas to resume on day two at 1-2.

 A last wicket stand of 88 from No10 Ryan Smith (62 not out) and No11 Jamie Crowhurst (33) saved the Lakers from being bowled out for around 120.

 Callum deBruyn  took 4-54 and skipper Gerard Healy 2-41 for Kookas.

 Second-placed Oak Flats and third-placed Kiama are heading for an outright result at Geoff Shaw Oval.

  Twenty two wickets fell on day one, with  Oak Flats finishing at 9-107 and Kiama dismissed for a season-low 49.

 Oak Flats resume at 3-25, an overall lead of 83.

  Kiama skipper Matt O’Brien took 5-39 to have his side on top, but  Andy Twyford (5-14) and Nathan Morrow (4-14) responded for the Rats.

   Oaks Flats and Kiama meet again in the semi-finals,, but both teams will want to go into the clash with an outright victory.

 Ladder (before round 10): Lake Illawarra 129, Oak Flats 111, Kiama 96, Kookas 47, Albion Park 41, Shellharbour 38.