The Illawarra cricket final will extend into a third day with Balgownie having the upper hand against Corrimal after Sunday’s play was washed out at North Dalton Park.
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Rain on Saturday night left the wicket damp and play was abandoned about 2.20pm Sunday, with Balgownie 1-64 chasing 129 for victory.
Balgownie skipper Corbin Brown said it was a unanimous view that the final resume this Saturday on the first nominated extra day in case of a washout.
‘‘It was too wet and it wasn’t going to improve sufficiently to get on,’’ Brown said.
‘‘Myself, Rob Fisher [Corrimal captain], the ground staff and umpires all agreed it was best to call it off and come back on Saturday.
‘‘We have a spare weekend for the final now, so it was right to use it.
‘‘We’re in a good position but Rob [Fisher] is a proud guy and I’m sure Corrimal will come back hard at us.
‘‘But if we back up like we did on day one we should be able to dominate and take home the premiership.’’
Balgownie are in the box seat to claim a third title in eight seasons after Brown won the toss and chose to bowl in overcast conditions.
Corrimal struggled throughout and were dismissed for 128, with Jason Bunyan delivering the spell of his career, taking 5-17.
‘‘As bowlers we got together and spoke about how we wanted to make a stand,’’ Bunyan said.
‘‘There’s been plenty said about our batting strength but some people reckon our bowling is our weakness and we wanted to show what we could do.
‘‘I haven’t taken five wickets since playing for Port many seasons ago now, so it was good to get a few.’’
Chris Lawry backed up with 2-13 as five Magpies took a wicket, with Corrimal dismissed in 56.5 overs.
The Cougars were 6-44 before No7 Brad Jardine (44) and No8 Aaron McElhinney (28) added 54 for the seventh wicket.
Balgownie opener David Murphy is unbeaten on 29, with his Illawarra representative teammate Adam Berwick on 18.
Ninety-two overs are available for Corrimal on Saturday, but if play is again washed out, then Sunday is available for a final playing day, though Murphy will miss out due to work commitments.
‘‘I’ll be discussing with Cricket Illawarra what our options are if we have to come back on Sunday as Murf [Murphy] won’t be able to play,’’ Brown said.
The introduction of the spare weekend for the final this season follows University being frustrated after umpires deemed it too wet for the last three overs to be bowled with the Students chasing victory against Keira last season.
Dapto also won the premiership with a rain-marred draw against Uni in the 2010-11 decider, while in 2006-07 Corrimal were left frustrated by rain in the loss to Uni.
Meanwhile, the second grade final continued on Sunday, with Helensburgh (173) beating Northern Districts (157) by 16 runs.
Brett Murphy made 89 for the Butchers with the Burgh’s Sean Mulally (4-40) player of the final.
Corrimal had three grades in the premiership final, with their third grade side beaten by one run in a thriller against Wests Illawarra.
Wests’ Peter Murphy was named man of the match after the Red Devils posted 97 and then dismissed the Cougars for 96.
Northern Districts made it a tough day for Corrimal, beating them in the fourth grade final.
Batting first the Butchers posted 8-191, then rolled Corrimal for 74.
The Butchers’ Chris Doyle (58) top scored and was man of the match.
