Stephens made a number of key breakthroughs late in the day to secure his side the victory on what was a nervous day of play.

Port Kembla began the day trailing by 164, but after reaching 4/103, they were a genuine chance of claiming the upset.

Stephens, however, took the key wicket of Steven Sunderland (44) and the Butchers finished it off from there. 

“Every game for us now is sudden death,” Captain Lachlan Dunn said. “It was a good win, it was looking a bit close there in the middle but we broke through some partnerships at key points.

“Jamie’s first wicket was much needed. The pitch was really flat, bowling pace from both ends wasn’t getting us results. So we brought Jamie on to control the game from one end and he kept getting wickets.”

The win moves Northern Districts to sixth on the ladder with two games to play.