After winning the toss and batting, Kookas were bowled out for 176 thanks to a Lachlan Hall six-wicket haul. However, the side recovered to roll through Gerringong for 104 and claim a first innings lead heading into day two.

Captain Craig Bramble was pleased with the way his side fought hard with both the bat and ball throughout the entire day.

“We had some good fielding, really disciplined bowling and good catches when it was needed,” Bramble said. “We did limp our way to 176 with the bat. But we thought on that wicket, with our attack, 150 was a good total, so we were ecstatic to get 170. 

“In the position we are in now, 70 runs ahead, it puts us in a good position to maximise our batting bonus points and push for outright victory.”

Youngster Jacob O’Connell was the key man with the ball, with figures of 4/25, however Bramble was most pleased with the way his bowlers worked as a team to build pressure on the Gerringong batsmen.

“The key strike bowlers from both teams bowled well, it was a case of how much the rest of the team contributed. Our team was the team that everyone contributed, it wasn’t just one standout batsman or bowler, it was a team effort. That was the difference, the way the whole team contributed.”

Kookas sit second on the ladder behind Lake Illawarra and the Lakers look set to continue their unbeaten season after another Kerrod White century against Shellharbour.  

The opener blasted 18 fours and four sixes as he made his way to 139. Brother Brendan provided valuable support with 43, while captain Mark Ulcigrai led the team to a first innings total of 380. Batting at number 10, Ulcigrai contributed 64 runs as part of a 78-run 10^th wicket partnership with Aaron Henry (29 not out).

The Lakers bowlers then ensured it was a Lake Illawarra day, with Henry trapping opener Anthony Dragovic LBW for one late in the final session. Shellharbour will resume at 1/30 next Saturday.

Like Lake Illawarra, The Rail batsmen were plundering runs in their match with Oak Flats. After their top order faltered, The Rail’s middle order batsmen stablised the innings, with Kieran Gilly’s 82 leading the side to 9dec/393. 

The declaration forced the Oak Flats opening pairing of Reece Nikitaras and Scott McAndrew to face a seven-over barrage before stumps were called.

The duo survived, with the Rats set to resume next weekend at 0/26.