The former ACT Comets representative, one of the finest talents to come from the South Coast, has already found his feet – and the middle of the bat – this season with a century for Kiama.

Gilly admitted the bowlers have spoken at length about plans to restrict and dismiss Starr in Saturday’s showdown at Cavalier Park.

“They’ve certainly been working on plans to get him out, so hopefully it comes off,” Gilly said.

“There’s no doubt he’s one of the best players to come from down here.

“Kiama’s top order looks pretty strong, early wickets will be important.”

Opener Mark Brockman provided valuable support to Starr with 45 and captain Nathan Barr made 42.

But Gilly provides his own form of batting firepower for The Rail, after finishing with an unbeaten 120 to deliver victory over Shellharbour.

In trouble at 5-73, Gilly and Joel Willstrop combined for an 86-run stand to turn the tide. Willstrop was eventually caught on 27, but Gilly led the lower order revival as The Rail finished 8-293 off their 50 overs.

“We were in a bit of trouble, so we had to dig in early on,” Gilly said.

“But once we got going we managed to put a few on, I had a couple of chances, but it’s good to get a score early in the season. It was the kind of score where we felt like we had enough, but the outfield was fast and they started to put a few on.

“The previous week we bowled and fielded quite well, so hopefully we can put it all together.”

Shellharbour were eventually dismissed for 239 in 47 overs.

Opener Rohit Sharma led the way with five wickets to make it eight in two matches, but in unusual circumstances.

“He opened and then we brought him back as a spinner,” Gilly said.

“We didn’t really have a spin option on Saturday and his little offies made sure we won. It’s not something we want to rely on all the time, but it helps to know he has that variety.”

Meanwhile, South Coast’s other unbeaten team, Oak Flats will be out to make it three in a row against winless Lake Illawarra.

Shellharbour and Gerringong, who had a second round bye, are chasing their first victories.

SOUTH COAST

Round three 

Saturday (12.30pm)

KIAMA v THE RAIL at Cavalier Park, SHELLHARBOUR v GERRINGONG at Tom Willoughby Oval, LAKE ILLAWARRA v OAK FLATS at Howard Fowles Oval, KOOKAS bye.