SOUTH COAST CRICKET
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The Rail endured one of its darkest days after being forced to forfeit its second innings against Kookas on Saturday for having just six eligible players at Oakleigh Park.
Kookas headed into day two coasting towards an outright victory after posting 4-317 on day one and having the Razorbacks reeling at 9-85.
But under competition rules a team must have seven eligible players at the start of an innings and after being dismissed for 116, umpires stopped The Rail's second innings with the match called off.
"It's ridiculous," said an angry Col Yeaman, The Rail skipper for the past three years.
"I live in Sydney now and make the drive down on a Saturday morning and to confront this situation was about as bad a day I've had at the club."
Yeaman said the club did have a seventh player at the ground but with the player ruled out through injury for a representative game yesterday, he was automatically unavailable for club play on the Saturday.
Yeaman was told about 9.30am on Saturday two first graders were injured - one with a "busted leg", the other having hurt himself at work.
Around 10.30am, Yeaman was told another player had suffered food poisoning and was unable to play, while the club had used its substitute player with Daniel Stevenson drafted in to replace Tim Goodall, suspended for dissent on day one.
Yeaman was confident the second innings forfeit was a one-off and the club would field its strongest side for Saturday's away clash with Albion Park.
Meanwhile, Lake Illawarra's Scott Ulcigrai smashed a century (100) as the Lakers thrashed Kiama outright at Howard Fowles Oval.
After dismissing Kiama for 107 and making 2-198 on day one, the Lakers declared at 5-309, bolstered by Ulcigrai's ton.
Kiama were 7-14 in their second innings before Sam Wolf (38) and Dan Reilly (39 not out) salvaged some pride in making it to 110. Aaron Henry took 4-14.
Fifth-placed Albion Park beat Shellharbour outright as bowlers dominated at Tom Willoughby Oval.
Resuming at 5-124 after dismissing Shellharbour for 106 on day one, the Park crashed for just 146, with Shellharbour skipper Ben Mitchell taking 6-44.
But Harbour were routed for 125, with Rob Monaghan taking 8-41 to go with his 5-42 in the first innings.
Bill Hunt (50) played a lone hand for Shellharbour, with Albion Park needing just 86 for victory, achieved with five wickets in hand, giving 20 valuable points.
Finally, 136 from opener Kieran Gray lifted Oak Flats to a five-wicket win over Gerringong/Jamberoo. Chasing 272, Gray was supported by Michael Arblaster (43).
Ladder: Oak Flats 113; Lake Illawarra 109, Kookas 109; Albion Park 103; Shellharbour 97; Gerringong-Jamberoo 58; Kiama 56; The Rail 41.