Jayasundara leaves Corrimal's Cricket Illawarra finals hopes in tatters

Sitting in fourth place heading into round 13, the Cougars have dropped to fifth on the ladder and completely out of the running for a finals berth after a disastrous day at Ziems Park. 

After Wests reached 9-188 declared last weekend, Corrimal began the day at 1-24 and confident they would chase down the runs. 

The day started off on the worst possible footing for the Cougars, with Devils captain Troy Redman removing his opposite Xavier McDevitt with the day's opening ball.

Jayasundara then picked up where his captain left off, taking 7-39 to help bowl Corrimal out for 166. 

"We're very pleased with the win," Redman said. "We got a wicket with the first ball of the day, which helped us, getting Xavier out first ball. Then we constantly took wickets, which was good. 

"It was a big plus for us having Udara out there. There were a couple of loose shots which gifted us wickets, but he bowls really nice and tight, puts pressure on the batsmen. He works a batsman out over a few overs and then produces that wicket-taking ball."

Read more: Jayasundara making an impact for Devils

With the Cougars now eight points behind fourth-placed Keira, and a maximum of seven points on offer for a bonus-point win, Corrimal's finals hopes are over. 

Wests entered the match knowing only an outright victory would keep their slim finals hopes alive, and Redman said it was disappointing that despite the result, his side too would not be playing finals cricket. 

Despite the disappointment, Redman was proud of the team's improvement throughout the year. After finishing with the wooden spoon last season, a win over Keira next weekend could see the Devils finish in fifth place. 

"It's a little disappointing to miss the finals, we've had our chances throughout the year, just haven't been able to take them.

"It's been a good year, from one win last year to five this year, we're quite happy. Hopefully with a bit more experience we'll push for even better next year. We realise how close we were, which has frustrated a few of the boys."

With one match remaining in the season, the four finalists were confirmed on Saturday.

Balgownie climbed all the way to third place with an outright victory over University. Jamie Fleming took 10 wickets for the match in the win that saw the Magpies draw level on points with second-placed Wollongong. 

Seeking an outright win over Port Kembla, the Lighthouse Keepers were forced to settle for first-innings points after the Blacks' batsmen dug in late in the day. 

Northern Districts secured the minor premiership with a nine-wicket win over Dapto, Jono Fowles' 74* leading the team to victory.

Finally, a win over Helensburgh wasn't enough to prevent Keira from slipping down to fourth on the ladder. Tane Nunn top-scored with 74 as the Lions cruised to a six-wicket victory. 

UNIVERSITY 46 and 167 defeated by BALGOWNIE 9-118 declared and 6-98

WESTS 9-188 declared defeated CORRIMAL 166

HELENSBURGH 143 defeated by KEIRA 4-145

DAPTO 138 and 2-57 defeated by NORTHERN DISTRICTS 1-141 declared

PORT KEMBLA 111 and 9-148 defeated by WOLLONGONG 8-230