Albion Park charged into the top four in Grade 1 Illawarra pennants after upsetting Figgy Bowlo, while Corrimal's finals hopes were dealt a blow by Towradgi Park in rain-sodden matches last Saturday.

While three top grade matches were played in the wet, Thirroul's home clash with Wiseman Park and Woonona's home game against Dapto Citizens were called off due to last week's rain.

The washed-out matches have been rescheduled to Grade 1's spare Saturday of round 10 on May 16, while a host of lower grade games were also called off and have been rescheduled.

Albion Park benefited the most in round eight after leapfrogging Corrimal to equal third with Wiseman Park, following a 65-52 home win over second-placed Figgy Bowlo.

The Park's Mal Pearson and his rink handled the damp green the best and beat former Scottish international Graeme Archer 28-10, in the biggest defeat for Archer since he joined Figtree in early March.

Albion Park's Dean Aitken skipped his side to a tight 21-20 win over Greg Thurling, while Figgy Bowlo's Cory Thompson had a 20-16 win over Ian Barrett.

Despite the loss, Figtree remain in second spot, though Wiseman Park will leapfrog them if they beat last-placed Thirroul in their catch-up match and also beat Albion Park in Saturday's final round.

A top-two position would see a major semi-final match-up against minor premiers Warilla, with the winner to advance to the grand final. The loser would face the winner of the third versus fourth clash.

Albion Park know a victory over Wiseman Park on Saturday would seal a semi-final spot after Corrimal's finals hopes suffered a setback in their 70-44 loss away to Towradgi Park in round eight.

It's been a tough season for Towradgi, but they made it consecutive wins and took all three rinks against Corrimal, who slipped from fourth to fifth.

Towradgi skip Guy Vozza had a 25-16 win over Jack Forbes, while David Wakeling beat Brett Pieper 21-16 and Towradgi bowls co-ordinator Wes Falconer completed the sweep with a 24-12 win over Scott Bateup.

A fortnight ago Towradgi beat Thirroul in a match with possible relegation ramifications and now Towradgi backed it up by belting Corrimal in their best performance of the season.

Meanwhile, Warilla clinched the minor premiership with a 56-49 away win over Windang.

Warilla skip Aaron Teys and his rink proved the key with a 22-9 win over Mark Waters.

Windang won the other two rinks - with Mark Larsen upsetting world No.1 Alex Marshall 21-16 and Greg Stevens beating Jeremy Henry 19-18 - but Teys' 13-shot win absorbed the Gorillas' losses in the other two.

The defeat by Corrimal and Windang has opened the door for Dapto Citizens to make a late charge for fourth spot if they can beat Towradgi at home in Saturday's final round then overcome Woonona away in their deferred game.

In Saturday's other round 9 matches, Corrimal must win on the road against Thirroul to keep their top-four hopes alive, while Warilla host Woonona.

In the two standout matches, Figgy Bowlo host Windang and Wiseman Park are at home to Albion Park.

Grade 1 ladder: Warilla 14; Figgy Bowlo 10; *Wiseman Park 9, Albion Park 9; Corrimal 8; Windang 7; *Dapto Citizens 6, Towradgi 6; *Woonona 5; *Thirroul 2.

* Denotes match in hand to be played on May 16.